Research Showcase Abstracts
Explore abstracts from CFDR’s annual research showcase at the DC Conference.
Year
2007
Language
English
Title
Glycemic Index: From Research to Practice
Introduction/Purpose
Maria Kalergis, PhD, Rd, CDE, from the McGill Nutrition and Food Science Centre in Montreal, QC, received a grant from CFDR in 2002 for her research on Canadian dietitians' use and perceptions of glycemic index in diabetes management. She described her research project, Glycemic Index: From Research to Practice, at the Partners' Breakfast on May 3, 2007.
"The glycemic index is a scale that ranks carbohydrate-containing foods by how much they raise blood glucose levels compared to a standard food (glucose or white bread)," explained Dr. Kalergis. "There is a growing evidence base that GI can be used in the prevention and management of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and other conditions."
Many health organizations around the world, including the World Health Organization and the Canadian Diabetes Association advocate the use of the glycemic index in clinical practice. However, the clinical use and applications of the GI remain controversial. Dr. Kalergis' project looked at whether dietitians were using the GI and, if not, what were the barriers to its use. Through a postal survey of more than 1,000 dietitians who counseled clients with diabetes, the researchers learned that 61% of those who responded did not use the GI, citing lack of teaching tools and lack of knowledge on how to teach the concept as major barriers.
The research team concluded that further education of dietitians on the use of GI in their practice is needed, and that educational tools need to be developed. Since completing the research project, Dr. Kalergis has done much to move the research into practice, including preparing a Current Issues backgrounder on GI for Dietitians of Canada (targeting dietitians), and writing an article for Canadian Diabetes (targeting physicians). Dr. Kalergis is now developing content for PEN (Practice-Based Evidence in Nutrition), Dietitians of Canada's on-line resource for practitioners.
"GI can be easily applied into practice and may be effective in the management and prevention of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity," says Dr. Kalergis. "Tools like the PEN pathway will help to provide practitioners with the information they need to use GI in their practice."
"The glycemic index is a scale that ranks carbohydrate-containing foods by how much they raise blood glucose levels compared to a standard food (glucose or white bread)," explained Dr. Kalergis. "There is a growing evidence base that GI can be used in the prevention and management of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and other conditions."
Many health organizations around the world, including the World Health Organization and the Canadian Diabetes Association advocate the use of the glycemic index in clinical practice. However, the clinical use and applications of the GI remain controversial. Dr. Kalergis' project looked at whether dietitians were using the GI and, if not, what were the barriers to its use. Through a postal survey of more than 1,000 dietitians who counseled clients with diabetes, the researchers learned that 61% of those who responded did not use the GI, citing lack of teaching tools and lack of knowledge on how to teach the concept as major barriers.
The research team concluded that further education of dietitians on the use of GI in their practice is needed, and that educational tools need to be developed. Since completing the research project, Dr. Kalergis has done much to move the research into practice, including preparing a Current Issues backgrounder on GI for Dietitians of Canada (targeting dietitians), and writing an article for Canadian Diabetes (targeting physicians). Dr. Kalergis is now developing content for PEN (Practice-Based Evidence in Nutrition), Dietitians of Canada's on-line resource for practitioners.
"GI can be easily applied into practice and may be effective in the management and prevention of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity," says Dr. Kalergis. "Tools like the PEN pathway will help to provide practitioners with the information they need to use GI in their practice."
Objective(s)/Process or Summary of Content
Growing evidence base in prevention and management of diabetes, obesity and CVD
Conclusions(s)/Recommendations
Important to use “country-specific” Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load values
Remember to consider the entire nutrient composition of a food, not just GI
Remember to consider the entire nutrient composition of a food, not just GI
