| FACULTY OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES

Medical Nutrition Therapeutic Workshop for Diabetic patients

By Nurliyana Naharuddin

 

SERDANG – The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) organized a medical nutrition therapeutic workshop, called ‘Mr. Carbs Expert’ to boost one’s knowledge on carbohydrate management for Type 1 Mellitus Diabetes patients.

The programme’s adviser, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barakatun Nisak Mohd Yusof said that apart from strengthening one’s knowledge, the workshop also highlighted self-practices for individuals suffering from Type 1 Mellitus Diabetes in the management of food.

Food management, in particular carbohydrate, is very important to ensure that  individuals with Type 1 Mellitus Diabetes can schedule their daily food intake properly to achieve optimal blood glucose control, he said.

She also said through the workshop, participants were asked to measure the amount of carbohydrates intake through activities outlined by the organizer.

"In clinics, the disclosures are given only through theory. Interestingly, in this workshop, participants were asked to provide suitable snacks that could go along with their diets,” he said.

 

Among the activities held were 'Food Bingo' and 'Nutri Rangers', with emphasis on practical experiences of patients in managing carbohydrate intake.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barakatun Nisak said Type 1 Mellitus Diabetes is very unique, with about 5% of the number of diabetics were reported in Malaysia. It is commonly diagnosed in children and adolescents.

"Individuals with Type 1 Mellitus Diabetes depend on insulin treatment, managed by children endocrinologists. In addition to insulin prescribed by physicians, Type 1 Mellitus Diabetes patients should consult their dietitians to get specific medical nutrition therapy for themselves," he said..

The creative idea of holding 'Mr. Carbs Expert’ was mooted by ​​a group of Final Year Bachelor of Science (Dietetics) students.  It is one of the projects they have to carry out to meet the needs for professional training for dietetic community before becoming a dietitian. – UPM.

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