The Meal Tray as a Tool and Platform to Change Eating Habits Among Hospitalized Diabetic Patients - An Intervention Study

The Meal Tray as a Tool and Platform to Change Eating Habits Among Hospitalized Diabetic Patients - An Intervention Study

The Meal Tray as a Tool and Platform to Change Eating Habits Among Hospitalized Diabetic Patients - An Intervention Study

This protocol is intended to test whether a focused nutritional intervention in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes can have an impact on long term eating habits, physical activity and anthropometric parameters. The rational is to use the food tray as a means of conveying simple and practical nutritonal and behavioral messages.

Patients hospitalized at Hadassah Medical Center who have type 2 diabetes will relieve a focused nutritional intervention using mainly the food tray during the hospitalization. The intervention will be administered by the hospital nutrition team. At baseline (upon admission) - medical data will be collected as well as nutritional and behavioral questionnaires will be administered. The intervention will take place during the hospitalization period. Follow up using the same tools will be performed at 3 and 12 month. We believe that the hospitalization period, even for reasons non related to diabetes, is a window of opportunity to implement lifestyle changes.

The guidance will be performed using the food tray during the hospitalization and will consist of meeting the nutritionist and receiving brochures along with the meal tray focusing on constituents and elements of the diet. The served meals will consist of elements recommended for patients with T2DM (such as whole grains, low fat dairy products and canola oil).

Inclusion Criteria: Age 20-80 years Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes Speaking and reading Hebrew Exclusion Criteria: Chronic medical condition requiring a specific diet Non Hebrew speaking Pregnant women