Volume 1 number 1 Summer 2003
Special issue for the abstracts of the 7th Pan Arab Conference on Diabetes
PACD7 , 25 – 28 March 2003 Cairo

Abstract Number : 61
Nutritional Problems of Diabetic Older Adults

Prof. Magda Al-El Aziz Head of Medical surgical
Nursing Department: Ain Shams University

Diabetes is a syndrome caused by an imbalance between insulin supply and demand. Diabetes is one of the most costly and burdensome chronic diseases of our time and is a condition that is increasing in epidemic proportions in the U.S. and throughout the world. In Egypt, the prevalence rate of DM increases with age reaching 38.6/1000 for the age 60 years and over it is various in different sectors with the average of 4.18% for males and females population. DM is one of the ten most common diseases among the Egyptian older Adults. 

Most elderly diabetic clients are classified as having type 2 non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (formerly called adult onset diabetes) that constitutes about 80% of all diagnosed cases of DM in the United States. 

Onset is gradual, the client may have a significant carbohydrate intolerance that remains undetected for years. 

When positively diagnosed, this type of diabetes is usually controlled through dietary adjustment, exercise and the administration of oral hypoglycemic agents, in some cases, however, insulin may be necessary. Comprehensive training program about self-care management should be supported and conducted by the clinical health team in order to maintain and achieve better health for the DOAs. All channels of the national Mass Media (radio & T.V) could efficiently be utilized to plan and direct specific health educational programs for the DOAs about self-care management and how to maintain and promote health. 

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