NUTRITIONAL INTAKE OF 2868 IDDM PATIENTS FROM 30 CENTERS IN EUROPE

The EURODIAB IDDM Complications Study, a cross-sectional, clinic-based study, was designed to measure the prevalence of diabetic complicatio ns in stratified samples of European insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) patients. As diet may be related to diabetic complications, nutrition al intake was analysed in the study population. The aims of this first nutritional paper are to describe the nutrient intake in 2868 IDDM pa tients from 30 centres in 16 countries throughout Europe, to investiga te the degree of regional differences in nutrient intake and to compar e current intakes with recommended levels. Nutritional intake from 145 8 male and 1410 female IDDM patients was assessed by a validated 3-day record (two weekdays, Sunday) and centrally analysed. Mean energy int ake for all patients was 2390 +/- 707 kcal/day. Mean protein intake wa s 1.5 +/- 0.5 g/kg body weight. Carbohydrate intake was 43% and fibre intake 18 g/day. Alcohol intake for the total cohort was 2% of energy. Total fat contributed 38% of energy, with 14% from saturated fat. The Italian centres reported lower total and saturated fat intakes compar ed with other centres. Recommendations from the Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group of the EASD for total fat, saturated fatty acids and carb ohydrate were only achieved by 14%, 14% and 15% of patients, respectiv ely. The data of the present study clearly indicate current problems i n the nutritional intake of European IDDM patients. These findings con tribute to the definition of future targets in the nutritional managem ent of IDDM patients, to be achieved as part of the initiatives taken by the St. Vincent Declaration action programme.