Affiliations: [a] U.O.C. Diabetologia e Dietologia Territoriale, ASP Catanzaro, Italy. e-mail: giuseppe.pipicelli@alice.it
| [b] Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group; G. Pipicelli (Association of Medical Diabetologists, AMD), Coordinator; G. Fatati (Italian Association for Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition, ADI); S. Leotta (AMD); M. Parillo (ADI); M. Tagliaferri (ADI); F. Tomasi (AMD); A. Pucci, Secretary
Abstract: The importance of following a correct diet is well known and unquestioned, and is one of the underpinning principles of the nutritional treatment of diabetes mellitus. However, we are all fully aware of how difficult and challenging it may be to achieve significant results, as we need to motivate the patients, and in some cases also motivate ourselves. Moreover, over time the various schools of thought have given differing interpretations on how to set up a nutritional treatment plan. Eventually, pressure from the Ministry of Health on the Scientific Associations – through the National Healthcare Plan – with regard to the need to change people's lifestyles by recommending correct dietary habits led the Italian Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Association (Associazione Italiana di Dietetica e Nutrizione Clinica) and the Diabetologists' Association (Associazione Medici Diabetologi) to combine their efforts through the creation of a joint Diabetes and Nutrition study group. The study group's objectives are to provide tools to help physicians optimise their work in the nutritional area, and to identify consistent, rational operating guidelines. This publication addresses the key topic, i.e., the need to set forth recommendations for the nutritional medical treatment of diabetes mellitus. While taking into account the latest national and international studies, our approach sought to adjust those studies to the lifestyles and habits prevalent in this country. Needless to say, these recommendations are constantly evolving and subject to improvement, and the study group's task will be to focus their efforts on providing physicians with the most advanced tools, and to identify patients' as well as physicians' needs. As a whole, these objectives will represent a valuable service available in everyday clinical practice in the area of nutritional treatment of diabetes mellitus.
