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| Health experts answer questions from attendees at a symposium on structured diet plan for diabetics held last Saturday by the Việt Nam Association of Diabetes and Endocrinology in co-operation with healthcare company Abbott. — VNS Photo |
Viet Nam News
HCM CITY — Diabetics find it difficult to change their eating habits or strictly follow the diets ordered by doctor, and this detracts from the effective of treatment, according to the Việt Nam Association of Diabetes and Endocrinology.
Speaking at a symposium on structured diet plans with diabetes-specific nutrition held last Saturday by the association in co-operation with healthcare company Abbott, Prof Thái Hồng Quang, the association chairman, said nutrition and exercise are the first remedy prescribed for diabetics.
Dr Nguyễn Thị Bích Đào, the association’s deputy chairwoman, said patients often prefer taking medicine to listening doctors’ talks about nutrition.
According to a 2013 Nielsen Diabetes U&A report, 91 percent of people with diabetes in Việt Nam claimed that changing their eating habits was a real challenge, and only 21 percent of them took diabetes-specific nutrition.
Đào said diabetes is a modern epidemic, with the country seeing an increase of 211 per cent in incidence from 10 years ago.
Dr Osama Hamdy, a diabetician from the US, said it is crucial for people with diabetes to have a plan that includes a balanced diet, medical treatment and regular exercise.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that all people living with diabetes should make nutrition therapy a part of their treatment plan. — VNS
