Dietary habits of type 2 diabetic patients covered by the Family Health Strategy Program at Cajazeiras, Paraiba, Brazil/ HABITOS ALIMENTARES DE INDIVIDUOS COM DIABETES MELLITUS TIPO 2 ATENDIDOS PELO PROGRAMA ESTRATEGIA SAUDE DA FAMILIA NA CIDADE DE CAJAZEIRAS, PARAIBA, BRASIL

Aim: To evaluate the dietary habits of type 2 diabetic patients from a basic healthcare unit at Cajazeiras city, Paraiba. Methodology: Observational transversal study. It was applied a semi-structured questionnaire to identify nutrition education and food consumption of candy and fried foods, grains and seeds, milk derivatives, vegetables, meat and fruits. Results: This study included 35 subjects with a mean age of 65.54 [+ or -] 11.6 years. Female gender (57.1%) was more prevalent. Regarding food consumption, 25 (71.4%) subjects are said to have healthy food intake and 18 subjects follow dietary recommendations. Food consumption have been made 3 or 4 times per day and economy is a factor to decrease food intake. Grains and seed (rice, beans and oats), vegetables (lettuce, tomato and carrot) and fruits (banana, mango and apple) were most intake than candy, fried food and milk derivatives. Conclusion: The majority follow nutrition recommendations with vegetables and fruits intake. However, the number of daily meals is not satisfactory. Multidisciplinary team assistance and food education are essential to prevent metabolic complications. Key words: Quality of life. Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. Diet therapy. Family Health Strategy. Objetivo: Avaliar os habitos alimentares de pacientes com Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 assistidos em uma unidade basica de saude da cidade de Cajazeiras, PB. Metodologia: Estudo de carater transversal observacional. A autoavaliacao alimentar foi identificada atraves de questionario semiestruturado, enfatizando a orientacao nutricional e frequencia de alimentacao diaria. Foram avaliados os alimentos e o consumo diario de doces e frituras, graos e sementes, leite e derivados, verduras e legumes, carne e frutas. Resultados: O estudo compreendeu 35 participantes com idade media de 65,54 [+ or -] 11,6 anos. A populacao composta foi em sua maioria mulheres (57,1%). Em relacao aos habitos alimentares, 25 (71,4%) consideraram ter um consumo alimentar saudavel e apenas 18 seguem as orientacoes nutricionais. A maioria realiza de 3 a 4 refeicoes/dia e as situacoes economicas implicam na descontinuacao da dieta. Os alimentos mais consumidos foram graos e sementes (arroz, feijao e aveia), verduras e legumes (alface, tomate e cenoura) e frutas (banana, manga e maca). Os alimentos menos consumidos foram doces, frituras e derivados do leite. Conclusao: A maioria das pessoas entrevistadas seguem uma dieta alimentar regular, com frequente consumo de vegeta