Dietary advice in Type 2 diabetes; Is it effective, what advice should we target and how does it work?
Abstract: Studieson diet and exercise interventions suggest that simple changes to dietary intake and increase in physical activity in people with Type 2 diabetes can improve diabetes control and help to minimise or delay the development of diabetes-related complications. Currently less than 50 percent of people with Type 2 diabetes adhere to diet and physical activity recommendations. Therefore, the challenge is how to encourage them to adopt and adhere to a healthy, balanced diet and a physically active lifestyle.
The lecture demonstrated that simple dietary programmes can provide improvement in glycaemic control, weight, general wellbeing, insulin resistance and reduce the need for drug treatment in the short and long term. Also it will highlight what changes in deitary habits produce the most effect and what factors are predictive of a good outcome. The lecture also explored the possible mechanism by which diet improves glucose control.
Dr Robert Andrews
Consultant Senior Lecturer in Diabetes and Metabolism
University of Bristol
Rob Andrews qualified from the University of Birmingham in 1991. After completing his specialist training in Diabetes and Endocrinology he undertook a PhD in Edinburgh. In 2003 he took up a post as Consultant Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol and an Honorary Consultant Physician at Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton.
At the University he leads a group that researches the role that exercise and diet can play in the prevention and management of the metabolic syndrome. Two years ago this group completed a large community trial that looked at the effect of diet and exercise in patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes (Early ACTID). Recently they have completed a study looking at the effect of bariatric surgery on glucose homeostasis. Ongoing studies include the development of a brief evidence-based tool to assess dietary intake and promote healthy dietary change for people with Type 2 diabetes; how exercise can affect beta cell function in Type 1 diabetes (EXTOD); and which bariatric operation is best (BYBAND).
In Taunton, Rob is the Clinical Director of R&D and the Clinical lead for obesity. In the latter role he has overseen the development of one of the largest multidisciplinary obesity services in the country. This is a holistic service offering specialised dietary and exercise programs, drug therapy and bariatric surgery as well as running clinics for people with eating disorders. In recognition of this service, in 2009, Taunton was designated an International Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery, one of only 2 European centres to achieve this status.