MiAND Task Forces

Diabetes Prevention Task Force

Facts:

  • 1 in 3 Michigan adults has prediabetes
  • 70% of people with prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes
  • People with diabetes have 230% of the medical costs compared to those without the disease

What is the mission of MiAND’s Diabetes Prevention Task Force?

To update dietary standards for preventing diabetes, especially in those with prediabetes. We will summarize the latest research in diabetes prevention and provide actionable, practical advice for how to eat to reduce the chance of prediabetes from advancing to type II diabetes.

How can you help?

We are reading 100+ studies that have been published in the last decade. Join our literature review and become an expert in one or two facets of diabetes. The commitment is 1-3 hours a week and twice monthly meetings. Contact Mark Thiesmeyer to get involved.

What are our deliverables?

  1. Practical guidelines for eating with prediabetes. If you have prediabetes, bookmark this website. We will post our findings here with easy-to-understand tips for how to eat to prevent diabetes.
  2. Guidelines for consulting your patients with prediabetes. Registered dietitians are the heroes in diabetes prevention. Our standards help them navigate the complex differences between patients.
  3. Publication of our standards and sharing with the National Academy Evidence Analysis Library (EAL).

Food Security Task Force

What is the MiAND Food Security Task Force?

The Food Security Task Force (FSTF) is a coalition of registered dietitians that seeks to identify and address food insecurity in Michigan. To effectively address food insecurity, the FSTF recognizes that registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) play a key role and are uniquely positioned to identify food access challenges through effective screening during nutrition assessments. In a 2023 survey conducted by the FSTF, an estimated 35% of Michigan RDNs reported screening for food security, with a majority of this population reporting using a non-validated questionnaire. Given these findings, recent efforts of the FSTF have focused on:

  1. Developing educational training for RDNs on how to assess and successfully identify food insecurity using validated questionnaires
  2. Providing resources to RDNs on the local, state, and federal food assistance programs if food insecurity is identified
  3. Building confidence in RDNs to lead, implement, and develop strategies that can improve food security in Michigan

How can you help?

The FSTF believes that dietetic practitioners should aim to capitalize on their professional training and expertise, as well as tap into their professional networks that can not only offer guidance on how to alleviate food insecurity, but can also help forge partnerships that can help bridge the gap between food secure and food insecure. If you share a similar belief and are interested in being involved in participating in the efforts listed above, the food security task force would be a great fit for you! The FSTF meets for one hour bi-weekly. Contact Nikki Anguilm to get involved.