Comportement alimentaire chez les diabétiques de type 2 à Marrakech (Maroc)

This prospective study aims to assess the diet habits of type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients living in Marrakech (Morocco). From May to December 2007, diet habits of 150 T2D (100 women and 50 men) were collected through a questionnaire. Their mean age was 58 years and mean diabetes duration of 12.5 years. Diabetes control was generally insufficient (61.3% with HbA1c > 8%). They were characterized by a high frequency of obesity (64.0%), hypertension (68.0%) and lipid abnormalities (61.3%), as well as a low and irregular physical activity. Declared diet is high in food at high glycemic index (bread, couscous, potatoes), and characterized by its high lipid (mainly monounsaturated fatty acids: olive oil and olives) and protein intake, a huge consumption of cook meats, cheese and vegetables (Moroccan tagine and couscous prepared with olive oil and sman beldi, a high calorie and lipid content), and by low fish and dairy product intake. Apart the traditional Moroccan meals, a distinctive feature consists in two huge closed breakfasts (at 8 a.m., with semolina soup, and at 10:30 a.m., with bread and olive oil). Lifestyle (diet and physical exercise) management of Moroccan diabetic patients appears to be difficult, thus justifying developing specific therapeutic education programmes aimed to accompany them in the non pharmacological management of diabetes and associated metabolic disorders.