For better health
For better health
In the Netherlands, approximately 1.2 million people suffer from diabetes. Someone with diabetes is more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. Diet and lifestyle play an important role in type 2 diabetes, but also in type 1 and gestational diabetes. Through research and application of nutritional knowledge, our ‘Voed Je Beter’ approach focuses on health gains for people with this disease.
About 90% of all diabetic patients have type 2 diabetes. Diet and lifestyle play a major role in the onset and course of the disease. Dietary changes can reduce and sometimes even reverse type 2 diabetes (Pot, BMJ Nutr Prev Health, 2020).
• Voed je Beter - Type 2 diabetes intervention study. PhD candidate Iris van Damme (WUR) examines the effect of personalized nutritional advice based on the dietary guidelines from the Dutch Health Council in patients with type 2 diabetes. The focus in this research is increasing fiber intake. Firstly, because people generally start eating more in line with the dietary guidelines (more fruit, vegetables, nuts and whole foods). Secondly because fibers have a beneficial effect on blood sugar levels. In addition to the effect on the risk of cardiovascular disease, she also studies this effect from the perspective of positive health (such as perceived quality of life), care use and food skills. You can take part of this study. The research is being enabled by Regio Deal Foodvalley. Together with the Dutch Association for Dietitians and the Dutch Diabetes Federation, Iris developed an accredited e-training on personalized nutritional care for diabetes.
• A plant-based diet for type 2 diabetes. PhD candidate Lukas Hoes (UMCU) is conducting an intervention study on the influence of a plant-based diet in patients with type 2 diabetes. The effect on risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as cholesterol and blood pressure, is being investigated. In peer support sessions, patients share their motivation for participating in the nutritional intervention and their experiences with the new nutrition pattern. Lukas also studies which patients succeed in changing their diet and which factors help them to do so. This research is being enabled by Regio Deal Foodvalley. Read more about this study (in Dutch) >>>
• Meta-analysis of dietary patterns in type 2 diabetes - PhD candidate Nadia Bonekamp (UMCU) is conducting a meta-analysis of 73 studies to examine the effect of the nutrition pattern in type 2 diabetes on the risk of a cardiovascular event. To make the results tangible for patients, she wants to predict how many extra healthy life years patients can expect if they follow a healthy diet. She aims to incorporate this prediction into an online tool that healthcare providers can use to motivate patients even more. This research is being enabled by Regio Deal Foodvalley. Read more (in Dutch) >>>
• Voed Je Beter – implementation study 'Use of the Eetscore' (Eating Score). In this study, research dietician Tessa de Smit of Gelderse Vallei Hospital (GVH) focuses on improving nutritional advice for patients who have visited the cardiology outpatient clinic of GVH. The Eating Score, an online questionnaire developed and validated by Wageningen University & Research (De Rijk, Br J. Nutr, 2021), motivates patients to improve the quality of their diet. The Eating Score has been studied in both primary and secondary care and makes it easier for healthcare professionals to discuss nutrition in the consultation room (Slotegraaf, poster evaluation ICDAM, 2021; Slotegraaf, poster implementation ICDAM, 2021). This research is being enabled by Regiodeal Foodvalley.
• ‘The development of the SALUD lifestyle program for type 2 diabetes' PhD candidate Kristel Polhuis (WUR) developed a holistic and personal lifestyle program for people with type 2 diabetes (Polhuis, Int J for Equity Health 2020; Polhuis, Health Prom. Intl. 2021). The SALUD lifestyle program has been developed in collaboration with diabetes patients, general practitioners, dietitians and general practice-based nurse specialists and focuses on making small changes in everyday eating behavior. Developing own identity, social support, food skills and dealing with stress are important pillars in the SALUD programme. Kristel is investigating the effect of the lifestyle program in the SALUD intervention study. She is being supervised by prof. Marianne Geleijnse and prof. Maria Koelen from WUR. The Nutrition and Health Care Alliance offers a testing ground for pilot studies via its partners, including the general practitioners from Medical Center Veluwse Poort in Ede. This research is being enabled by the Edema-Steernberg Foundation. Read more (in Dutch) >>>
About 100,000 people in the Netherlands suffer from type 1 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes no longer produce insulin and must inject insulin or wear a pump. It is advisable to patients to pay attention to their nutrition to better control blood glucose levels. Earlier research carried out by internists of GVH and researchers at Strategic Communication (WUR) shows that it is useful to support the patients self-management by involving the patient in concrete solutions and goals. Read more (in Dutch) >>>
Between 2015 and 2019, the number of cases of gestational diabetes increased from 5.1% to 7.3%. Both the mother and the child run risks, such as an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Led by prof. dr. Edith Feskens (WUR), the Gestational Diabetes and LIfestyle of Mothers before and during Pregnancy' studies (GLIMP) performed in gestational diabetes (Looman, 2018) have been conducted. In this research the consequences of gestational diabetes have been indicated. The study also showed that a healthy diet reduces the risk of developing gestational diabetes
Gerda Pot, program coordinator Nutrition and Healthcare Alliance (NHCA)
Among others: professor Marianne Geleijnse (WUR), internist-vascular physician Remy Bemelmans (GVH), internist-vascular physician Marcel Hovens (Rijnstate), internist Rik Heijligenberg (GVH), professor Frank Visseren (UMCU), project employee Anne Slotegraaf (NHCA), assistant professor Bob Mulder (WUR), PhD candidate Ilse Evers (WUR), PhD candidate Esther Cruijsen (WUR), dietician Tessa de Smit (ZGV), cardiologist Tom van Loenhout (GVH /Rijnstate and chair NHCA), PhD candidate Nadia Bonekamp (UMCU), PhD candidate Lukas Hoes (UCMU), project officer Bo Saals (NHCA, post-doc researcher Lotte Koopal (UMCU), Renate Winkels, assistant professor (WUR and board member NHCA)
