Abstrakt

Context-specific food-based dietary guidelines for managing diabetes among hospitalized patients in Tanzania.

Happyness Kisighii A, Jofrey Raymond, Musa Chacha

Food-based dietary guidelines for managing diabetes among inpatients are currently not well established in Tanzania. This significantly contributes to delayed recovery of patients and increased burden to families and communities. This study aimed at developing context-specific food-based dietary guidelines to guide healthcare professionals make rational decisions in planning diets for patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data on dietary intake among diabetic inpatients to inform the formulation of food-based dietary guidelines. A 7-days weighed food record was used to assess dietary intake among 100 diabetic patients. Data on prices of common foods were obtained from hospitals’ requisition books and nearby markets. Findings showed that there are inadequate intakes of existing food plans. Linear goal programming was used to optimize dietary intake for diabetic inpatients by developing food-based dietary guidelines. Optimal dietary guidelines that are context-specific for managing diabetes for hospitalized patients can be formulated using culturally acceptable foods.