Low-carbohydrate and high-fat intake among adult patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus

Yunsheng Ma, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Barbara C. Olendzki, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Andrea R. Hafner, University of Massachusetts Medical School
David E. Chiriboga, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Annie L. Culver, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Victoria A. Andersen, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Philip A. Merriam, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Sherry L. Pagoto, University of Massachusetts Medical School

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study examined baseline dietary intake, body weight, and physiologic status in patients enrolled in a dietary intervention for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS: Dietary, physiologic, and demographic information were collected at baseline from 40 adult patients with poorly controlled T2DM (glycosylated hemoglobin >7%) who participated in a clinical trial at an academic medical center in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.

RESULTS: The average age at enrollment was 53.5 y (SD 8.4), average body mass index was 35.48 kg/m(2) (SD 7.0), and glycosylated hemoglobin was 8.3% (SD 1.2). Participants were predominantly white, married, and employed full time. Forty-eight percent were men. Seventy-eight percent had hyperlipidemia, and 68% had hypertension. Reported baseline daily average energy intake was 1778 kcal (SD 814), daily carbohydrate was 159 g (SD 71.5), and dietary fiber was 11.4 g (SD 5.2). The dietary composition was 35% carbohydrate, 45% fat (15% saturated fat), and 20% protein. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines recommends 45-65% of energy from carbohydrate, 20-35% from fat (<7% saturated), and 20% from protein.

CONCLUSION: These patients reported a low-carbohydrate, low-fiber, high-fat (especially saturated) diet, although they stated they are not following any of the popular low-carbohydrate diets. Patients with T2DM may find the current trend toward reducing weight through low-carbohydrate diets attractive for control of blood glucose, despite ADA recommendations. This dietary pattern may represent a popular trend that extends beyond our particular study and, if so, has serious cardiovascular implications in this vulnerable population of T2DM patients.