Obesity is known to be extremely common in hospitalized patients. Based on one study (Hossain MA, et al. J Clin Med. 2018), 66% of hospitalized patients were either overweight or obese. In the same study, only about 2% of patients were appropriately referred for dietary counseling and obesity management. This seems to be a missed opportunity.
A while back, I cared for a patient with severe coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus. She had come into the hospital with a heart attack and required stenting of two different vessels which were found to have significant blockages. The day after the procedure I went to check in on her and she was enjoying a soda with breakfast!! I was surprised that despite being on a cardiac/diabetic diet, a can of soda was still available. The patient noted that she had been having up to three sodas a day at home. We had a long discussion about nutrition and cardiovascular disease and specifically the importance of cutting out sugar sweetened beverages.
A few months later, I was visiting with a hospitalized patient with diabetes mellitus and advanced coronary artery disease-also the day after a heart catheterization. He had just finished his breakfast and I noted a pool of syrup where his French toast used to be. I read the label on the syrup package, “Ingredients: Corn syrup, high fruct corn syrup, water, salt, caramel color, natural, and artificial flavors.” It seemed crazy to me that in the hospital, the SAD diet (Standard American Diet) still seemed to be so prevalent.
Just this week I was in the doctor’s lounge for lunch when an orthopedic surgeon walked in. He stared the fried chicken being served and walked out saying in jest, “How am I supposed to eat this in front of a cardiologist?”
We have much data at this point in time about how nutrition plays a critical role in many disease states including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and obesity. The hospital should be an excellent source of information, counseling, and support for patients who are looking to improve their health. The fact that so few patients receive adequate nutrition education in the hospital truly represents a missed window of opportunity.
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Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Andrew Atiemo is a talented clinician, teacher, and author. He currently serves as an Interventional Cardiologist with Mountain Heart in Flagstaff, Arizona.
