Course Overview

Certificate Course in Diabetic Nutrition (Batch 02)

⏱ Duration: 14 hours (7 sessions, 2 hours each) spread across a 6-week schedule | Mode of Delivery: Hybrid (in-person + online) 

Instructor(s) : 

Course Description

This course addresses the urgent need for specialized nutrition expertise in Bangladesh, where diabetes prevalence is 14.2% and rising (IDF, 2023). It equips healthcare professionals with evidence-based skills to manage diabetes through medical nutrition therapy (MNT), covering diagnosis, meal planning, and complication prevention. With hands-on case studies and practical exercises, participants will enhance patient care and meet industry demands for roles in diabetes clinics and community health programs.

Evidence of Demand

• Bangladesh has a 14.2% diabetes prevalence (IDF, 2023), projected to reach 15% by 2030, with 43.5% undiagnosed cases.
• There is an urgent need for professionals skilled in Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT).
• Hospitals and clinics are increasingly seeking trained dietitians and nurses (as seen on platforms like bdjobs.com).

Purpose and Objectives

Purpose: To provide healthcare professionals with practical skills in diabetic nutrition for effective patient counseling and improved health outcomes.

Objectives:

• Understand diabetes types and glucose homeostasis. * Apply Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) for glycemic control.
• Design culturally relevant meal plans (carb counting, GI/GL).
• Manage nutrition for special populations.
• Counsel patients effectively and stay updated on emerging trends.

Course Content & Class Plan (Modules)

• Module 1: Foundations of Diabetes & Nutrition: Diabetes types, epidemiology, basic nutrition, food labels, insulin physiology.
• Module 2: Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT): MNT goals, carb counting, GI/GL, protein/fat management, meal planning.
• Module 3: Special Considerations & Complications: Medication-nutrition interactions, exercise, complications (nephropathy, CVD), special populations.
• Module 4: Counseling, Monitoring & Trends: Nutritional assessment, behavioral counseling, emerging trends (gut microbiome, fasting), case studies.
• Module 5: Precision Management & Lifecycle Transitions (CGM technology, pregnancy, and geriatric care).

Practical & Field Work

• Label Analysis: Practical exercises during the foundations module.
• Meal Plan Design: Hands-on activities applying ADA guidelines for carb counting and GI/GL management.
• Case Study Review: Analyzing clinical cases regarding complications and special populations.
• Counseling Role-Play: Practical application of behavioral counseling techniques.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Define "healthy food" for diabetes management (ADA-aligned).
• Identify foods to avoid/enjoy for glycemic control.
• Apply simple cooking tips for diabetic-friendly meals.
• Recognize toxins' impact on health and mitigation strategies.
• Adopt lifestyle changes to enhance diabetes control.

   Target Audience & Requirements

Target Audience:

• Dietitians, nutritionists, nurses, community health workers.
• Physician assistants, AYUSH practitioners, BDS/MDS professionals.
• Any professionals aiming to specialize in diabetes care.

Entry Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent in health-related fields.
• Minimum Age: 20 years.

Career Pathways

• Graduates can pursue enhanced roles in diabetes clinics and endocrinology departments.
• Work as Diabetes Educators (with additional certifications like CDCES).
• Lead community health programs.

Tools & Resources

• Access to clinical guidelines (ADA).
• IDF reports and research articles.
• Sample food labels.
• Online learning platform for hybrid sessions.

Assessment Criteria

• 30% Laboratory / practical exercises.
• 25% Assignments / case studies.
• 20% Quizzes / knowledge checks.
• 15% Final project / research report.
• 10% Final examination.

Financial Information

• Tentative Course Fee: 8,000 BDT.

• Students: 3,000 BDT.
• Professionals: 5,000 BDT.