The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Abbott have partnered to better understand the nutritional needs of people living with diabetes, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction, and how nutrition formulas can support these needs and overall heatlh.
 
More than two-fifths of adults are living with obesity, and one in 10 Americans have diabetes, most of which is type II diabetes. There may be undiagnosed nutritional deficiencies involved in these conditions, and adequate nutrition support has been shown to improve health outcomes in these three related conditions.
 
For instance, diabetes-specific nutrition formulas can help to support the management of glycemic responses, Abbott and ADA noted.
 
With the support of a $1.6 million grant from Abbott, the ADA will review and consolidate the latest scientific evidence to help healthcare professionals better understand the unique nutritional needs associated with diabetes, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction.
 
“Better understanding nutritional needs will help health care professionals support their patients and get ahead of nutritional problems,” said Charles “Chuck” Henderson, chief executive officer of the ADA. “This collaboration with Abbott aims to bridge the gap in practical nutrition guidance, addressing the specific malnutrition challenges faced by people with diabetes, which aligns with the ADA’s mission to improve the lives of people impacted by diabetes as well as the work of our newly formed Obesity Association to reduce the prevalence of obesity.”
 
Last year, the ADA and Abbott announced a similar collaboration aimed at better understanding how diabetes technology like continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems can help people living with diabetes make informed decisions about their food and activity. This new collaboration builds on this initial support to research diabetes, and extends to support those with obesity, as well.
 
Over the next three years, Abbott’s grant will enable the ADA to engage and convene with top health care experts to discuss and evaluate nutritional support options for people with diabetes, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction. The ADA will gather, review, and synthesize the latest scientific evidence on the topic, and will incorporate their findings into peer-reviewed journals, the ADA Scholars Program, and healthcare professional education.
 
“Abbott and the ADA are both science-based organizations with a long history in research, education, and helping people live healthier lives,” said Joe Manning, executive vice president for Abbott’s nutrition business. “We look forward to working with the ADA to help equip health care professionals with nutrition resources and information to support people living with diabetes and obesity.”