Aims/hypothesisThe study aimed to compare the effects of a 2 year intervention with a low-fat diet (LFD) or a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD), based on four group meetings to achieve compliance.MethodsThis was a prospective randomised parallel trial involving 61 adults with type 2 diabetes consecutively recruited in primary care and randomised by drawing ballots. Patients that did not speak Swedish could not be recruited. The primary outcomes in this non-blinded study were weight and HbA1c. Patients on the LFD aimed for 55–60 energy per cent (E%) and those on LCD for 20 E% from carbohydrate.ResultsThe mean BMI and HbA1c of the participants were 32.7 ± 5.4 kg/m2 and 57.0 ± 9.2 mmol/mol, respectively. No patients were lost to follow-up. Weight loss did not differ between groups and was maximal at 6 months: LFD −3.99 ± 4.1 kg (n = 31); LCD −4.31 ± 3.6 kg (n = 30); p < 0.001 within groups. At 24 months, patients on the LFD had lost −2.97 ± 4.9 kg and those on LCD −2.34 ± 5.1 kg compared with baseline (p = 0.002 and p = 0.020 within groups, respectively). HbA1c fell in the LCD group only (LCD at 6 months −4.8 ± 8.3 mmol/mol, p = 0.004, at 12 months −2.2 ± 7.7 mmol/mol, p = 0.12; LFD at 6 months −0.9 ± 8.8 mmol/mol, p = 0.56). At 6 months, HDL-cholesterol had increased with the LCD (from 1.13 ± 0.33 mmol/l to 1.25 ± 0.47 mmol/l, p = 0.018) while LDL-cholesterol did not differ between groups. Insulin doses were reduced in the LCD group (0 months, LCD 42 ± 65 E, LFD 39 ± 51 E; 6 months, LCD 30 ± 47 E, LFD 38 ± 48 E; p = 0.046 for between-group change).Conclusions/interpretationWeight changes did not differ between the diet groups, while insulin doses were reduced significantly more with the LCD at 6 months, when compliance was good. Thus, aiming for 20% of energy intake from carbohydrates is safe with respect to cardiovascular risk compared with the traditional LFD and this approach could constitute a treatment alternative.Trial registration:ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01005498Funding:University Hospital of Linköping Research Funds, Linköping University, the County Council of Östergötland, and the Diabetes Research Centre of Linköping UniversityElectronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00125-012-2567-4) contains peer-reviewed but unedited supplementary material, which is available to authorised users.

A regular and combined assessment using the Mini Nutrition Assessment, Geriatric Depression Scale-20 and self-perceived health as a base for identifying people in need, is one way to prevent the development of malnutrition.

Background: The negative impact of vertebral and hip low-energy fractures on health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) has been demonstrated previously, but few prospective long-term follow-up studies have been conducted. This study aims to (i) investigate the changes and long-term impact of vertebral or hip fracture and between fracture groups on HRQOL in postmenopausal women prospectively between two and seven years after the inclusion fracture, (ii) compare HRQOL results between fracture and reference groups and (iii) study the relationship between HRQOL and physical performance, spinal deformity index and bone mineral density at seven-year follow-up.

The purpose of this study is to explore prerequisites for a healthy lifestyle as described by individuals diagnosed with psychosis. Forty participants who had performed a lifestyle intervention focusing on physical activities and lifestyle education were interviewed. Conventional content analysis was used. The results are described in two categories: (1) Individual Prerequisites and (2) Being a Part of Society. The individuals said that they got stuck in a state of planning without taking action. It was pointless to make a bigger effort because the psychotic disorder could, at any time, worsen the prerequisites. They also said that they wanted to live like everybody else and therefore tried to adopt a normal lifestyle. Future interventions or professional support by mental health nurses and other health care givers should target the transition from planning to action to achieve a healthy lifestyle, and should help the individual to taking part in society.

Background: Patient education in connection with hip replacement is intended to prepare