Application of Medical Nutrition Therapy in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus at a Secondary Health Facility in Ibadan, Oyo State

Medical nutrition therapy is a critical and evidence-based component of the clinical management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, encompassing individualised dietary counselling, meal planning, and nutritional monitoring. This study evaluates the application of medical nutrition therapy in the management of type 2 diabetic patients at Adeoyo State Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, South West Nigeria. Despite its established clinical efficacy, medical nutrition therapy is inconsistently applied in secondary healthcare settings across Nigeria, with dietitians underutilised and standardised protocols absent in many facilities. A descriptive evaluative study design was adopted, with 180 type 2 diabetic patients enrolled in the diabetes clinic recruited over a six-month period. Structured interviews assessed patients' exposure to dietetic counselling, understanding of meal planning principles, and adherence to recommended dietary modifications. Glycated haemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, body mass index, and dietary intake data were collected at baseline and at a follow-up visit three months later. Healthcare provider perspectives on the integration of nutrition therapy into the diabetic management pathway were obtained through semi-structured interviews with nurses and physicians. Findings are expected to demonstrate that patients receiving structured medical nutrition therapy exhibit significantly improved glycaemic control and dietary compliance compared to those relying on verbal advice alone. The study recommends formalising dietetic referral pathways and embedding nutrition therapy protocols in secondary diabetes care facilities in Oyo State. Keywords: medical nutrition therapy, type 2 diabetes, glycaemic control, Ibadan, dietetic counselling.