1. The University of Alabama
The Effect of Prescribing Food as Medicine on Weight loss and Hemoglobin A1c Values in Diabetic Patients at the University Medical Center, Tuscaloosa, AL
Swati Patel, MD
Mary Louanne Friend, PhD, MN, RN
The University of Alabama
PURPOSE
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
METHODS
The estimated overall prevalence of diabetes among adults in the United States ranges from 5.8% to 12.9% [1].
Diabetes accounts for almost 14% of United States health care expenditures, at least one-half of which are related to complications, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, end-stage renal disease, retinopathy, and foot ulcers [2].
The objective of the study is to “prescribe,” recommend healthy eating based on the recommendations made by the American Diabetes Association.
The purpose of this study is to determine if prescribing "food as medicine" with follow- up phone calls by the health care provider will help diabetic patients manage their weight and Hemoglobin A1c.
HgA1c obtained within the prior 3 months of the start of the study and the last recorded weight will be recorded.
American Diabetic Association Guidelines and Educational information will be provided.
Patient's will be asked to follow-up in clinic every 3 months for 2 to 3 visits.
Patients will also be called once a month, and encouraged to adhere to their diabetic diet.
We will be following the weight and HgA1c values to assess change in weight and look for change in diabetes control.
INTRODUCTION
“Let food by thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
-Hippocrates
A significant portion of diabetes management is comprised of dietary choices.
Physicians are beginning to prescribe food as medicine to help those who struggle with obesity and associated complication to gain control of their weight.
Likewise, using this approach of prescribing food as medicine to help those that have already been affected by diabetes.
REFERENCES
1. McCulloch, D. K., MD. (2017, July ). Overview of medical care in adults with diabetes mellitus. Retrieved August 01, 2017, from
contents/overview-of-medical-care-in-adults-with-diabetesmellitus?source
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2. Mokdad, A., Ford, E., Bowman, B., Dietz, W., Vinicor, F., Bales, V., & Marks, J. (2003, January 01). National Center for Biotechnology Information. Prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and obesity-related health risk factors, PubMed - NCBI.Retrieved August 01, 2017, from ?term=