Diabetes Metab J.  2011 Apr;35(2):173-181. 10.4093/dmj.2011.35.2.173.

A Survey of Diabetic Educators and Patients for the Revision of Korean Food Exchange Lists

• Cho JW
• Kweon MR
• Park YM
• Woo MH
• Yoo HS
• Lim JH
• Koo BK
• Kim CH
• Kim HJ
• Park TS
• Shin CH
• Won KC
• Lim S
• Jang HC

• KMID: 2281716
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2011.35.2.173

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Food exchange lists are one of the main methods of nutritional education. However, Korean food exchange lists have not been revised since 1994. Therefore, we surveyed the opinions of diabetes educators and patients with diabetes regarding the need for revision of the current food exchange lists.
METHODS
For two weeks beginning on 10 March 2008, a 12-item questionnaire regarding the opinion and need for revision of the current food exchange lists was e-mailed to diabetes educators nationwide. Another 15-question survey was administered to patients with diabetes in 13 hospitals located in the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions of Korea.
RESULTS
We obtained survey responses from 101 diabetes educators and 209 patients; 65 (64.3%) of the educators answered that the current food exchange lists should be revised. The items that needed revision were the glycemic index, addition of new foods and reaffirmation of exchange standard amounts. The patients demanded specific education about choosing appropriate foods, a balanced meal plan, proper snacks, and dining intake.
CONCLUSION
Our survey results demonstrate the need to revise the Korean food exchange lists. This process should focus on glycemic index, the addition of new foods and reconfirmation of one exchange reference unit.

Keyword

Diabetes; Food exchange lists; Korean; Medical nutritional therapy

MeSH Terms

Electronic Mail
Glycemic Index
Humans
Meals
Snacks
Surveys and Questionnaires

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Results of the survey of diabetes educators. (A) Utilization of the food exchange lists. A majority (64.3%) of diabetes educators answered that the current food exchange lists should be revised. (B) Items that need to be revised or supplemented. The items that need revision were glycemic index, addition of new foods and reconfirmation of one exchange reference unit.

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  Fig. 2 Content of nutritional education requested by diabetic patients. The patients demanded specific education about free food, a balanced meal plan, tips for snacks, and dining.

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