Educational Alternatives, Volume 17, 2019

Abstract: The purpose of this research was to establish the links between dietary habits, body composition and information sources in relation to seniors with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Zlín Region in the Czech Republic. Selected sample (n = 100; 60 women and 40 men) with the medical diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The average age of respondents was 76 years. A controlled interview was used and an InBody 270 bioimpedance analyser was used to evaluate body composition. The elderly people with type 2 diabetes mellitus are most often informed about the required nutritional regimen by their diabetes specialist, 59.0 % of respondents; 27.0 % of respondents believed that they adhere to the required nutritional regimen on a level of 90.0 %; 63.0 % regularly monitor their weight. According to calculation of their BMI index, 33.0 % of respondents were overweight and 46.0 % of respondents were obese. The amount of fat in the bodies of 72.0 % of respondents was evaluated as excessive by the InBody 270 bioimpedance analyser. Only one quarter of respondents were found to have dietary habits complying with the required nutritional regimen. The elderly people with type 2 diabetes mellitus must be repeatedly educated about their nutritional regimen and guided towards adopting improved dietary habits.