Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-24-2022
Abstract
Purpose: A systematic review was conducted to assess how the involvement of a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) in healthy behavior interventions (HBIs) potentially affects outcomes in older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Methods: Literature was searched for primary research published between 2016 and 2020 on HBI involving a RDN affecting outcomes in older adults with T2D. Evaluations of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, anthropometry, body composition, medication usage, healthcare cost, and self-efficacy and/or adherence to healthy behaviors outcomes were selected for inclusion. All the literature included were summarized, evaluated for certainty of evidence criteria, and assessed for bias.
Results: A total of 12 studies were included for assessment. Involvement of a RDN in HBI was shown to reduce HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and blood pressure and improve lean body mass, body mass index (BMI), and self-efficacy in populations of older adults with T2D. Compared to older adults with T2D receiving HBI involving RDNs, patients receiving usual care may incur higher healthcare costs or longer hospital stays. There was a high certainty of evidence for a RDN involvement in HBI with regard to reduction in HbA1c. There was a moderate certainty of evidence for a RDN involvement in HBI with regard to favorable changes in weight or body composition and cardiometabolic health outcomes. Statistically significant improvements in outcomes were usually sustained in follow-up after conclusion of HBI.
Conclusion: RDNs may play an integral role in HBIs resulting in improved glycemic control, weight management, cardiovascular outcomes, and presumably comorbidity management. RDNs are important facilitators of diet education and nutrition assessment, which are essential in T2D management and should, therefore, be considered for routine inclusion in interprofessional teams for improved outcomes in older adults with T2D.
Recommended Citation
Dobrow L, Estrada I, Burkholder-Cooley N and Miklavcic J (2022) Potential Effectiveness of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Healthy Behavior Interventions for Managing Type 2 Diabetes in Older Adults: A Systematic Review. Front. Nutr. 8:737410. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.737410
Peer Reviewed
1
Copyright
The authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
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Endocrine System Diseases Commons, Human and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Other Food Science Commons, Other Nutrition Commons
Comments
This article was originally published in Frontiers in Nutrition, volume 8, in 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.737410