In the last decade, chronic diseases related to metabolism, such as diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension, are steadily increasing. These diseases are usually related with the lack of a healthy diet. Therefore, the role of the Dietician becomes imperative to formulate customized diet-therapies to improve the health of people.

The module "Diet in metabolic diseases" has as learning objective to provide the theoretical and practical knowledge in order to formulate specific diet-therapies for the following diseases: Diabetes Mellitus (type 1, type 2, gestational), Obesity, Hypertension, Metabolic Syndrome , Dyslipidemia, hypothyroidism, malnutrition (with particular reference to elder patients).

Also will be provided the theoretical and practical knowledge to teach the count of carbohydrates to the type 1-diabetic patients.

The course consists of 20 hours of training activities to be carried out as lectures.

For each topic covered the lesson will include a theoretical part, in which the knowledge to formulate a diet therapy will be provided, and a part of the exercise, in which students will apply the concepts learned, formulating diet therapies specific for each clinical case presented.

The individual diet-therapies will then be discussed all together at the end of the lesson.

The course includes compulsory attendance for at least 75% of the training activity hours.

Introduction:

- Metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids

- Adipose tissue and its impact on metabolism

- Evaluation of Nutritional Status

(anthropometric evaluation, biochemistry, assessment of food intake)

Diet-therapies:

- Dietary treatment of patients with diabetes type 1, type 2 and gestational (nutritional goals, different approaches to nutrition education, diet therapy)

- Counting of Carbohydrates

- Patient Dietary treatment with Dyslipidemia, Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (nutritional objectives in patients with hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia, food and nutritional factors associated with cholesterol-lowering effect, homocysteine: a cardiovascular risk factor, diet therapy)

- Dietary treatment of obese patients (goals and diet therapy)

- Dietary treatment of patients with metabolic syndrome

- Dietary treatment of patients affected by nutritional deficiency of iodine and selenium and related thyroid diseases

- Nutrition in healthy elderly patient and in frail elderly patient.

Reference Text

Paola Binetti, Marcello Marcelli, Rosanna Baisi, Manuale di nutrizione clinica e scienze dietetiche applicate.

In addition, the slides used during the lessons will be provided to the students.

For further information will be provided:

- Guidelines of the Ministry of Health Guide

- Manual for the counting of carbohydrates

- Scientific articles published in national and international journals

The assessment takes place only with the final exam which aims to ensure the effective acquisition of the expected learning outcomes.

To pass the exam (the minimum vote is 18/30), the Student must demonstrate that:

- Know the theoretical basis to formulate diet-therapies for the following diseases: diabetes mellitus (type 1, type 2, gestational), Obesity, Hypertension, Metabolic Syndrome, Dyslipidemia, hypothyroidism, malnutrition (with particular reference to elder patients).

- Being able to formulate a correct diet therapy for diseases listed in the preceding paragraph.

To the final mark out, expressed in /30, contribute:

- Ability to discuss transversely and critically the required arguments;

- Fairness, clarity, synthesis and exhibiting fluidity;

- Mastery of the subject;

- Adoption of appropriate terminology

The vote expressed in 30/30, eventual cum laude, will be granted if the Student will provided excellent knowledge and skills about the materials of the module.