Spin-off cost/benefits of expanded nutritional care

The expanded nutritional care program that was developed from 1971 through 1978 in the Grady Memorial Hospital Diabetes Unit in Atlanta, Georgia is described. The costs and benefits of this program are discussed and compared with the previous program which consisted of basic nutritional care with high priority on the use of oral agents and insulin. The authors conclude that a considerable sum of money appears to be wasted in health care delivery involving those with obesity-induced diabetes when oral hypoglycemic agents and/or insulin therapy is used instead of appropriate nutritional education and follow-up by a dietitian. Furthermore, drug therapy of obesity-induced diabetes is more risky for the patient than diet therapy.