Evaluation of eating behaviors and diet compliance in individuals with type 2 diabetes

Background and Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the eating attitudes and behaviors and the risk of eating disorders of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to examine their compliance with the diet. Material and Methods: The study was carried out with 133 volunteer participants, 95 women (%71,43) and 38 men (%28,57) who applied to Bahçelievler State Hospital Diet Clinic. A survey form consisting of 5-part questions including socio-demographic information, disease status, eating habits, emotional eating behavior and anthropometric measurements, as well as the Eating Attitude Test Short Form (EAT-26) and the Diet Self-Efficacy Beliefs Scale (DEBS), was administered to the participants face to face. Results: Disordered eating behavior was detected in 42.11% of all participants. The average EAT-26 total score is 17,71±9,77. EAT-26 score is higher in women, those with primary school education or less, and those who are not employed (p<0,05). Diet self-efficacy beliefs were found to be high in %97 of the individuals included in the study. The average DEBS total score is 152,48±18,89. Individuals who do not skip breakfast and lunch have higher self-efficacy beliefs (p<0,05). %24,81 of all participants follow a diet, %55,64 consume 2 main meals and mostly skip lunch. %77,44 of the participants consume snacks, %47,93 skip meals and the morning snack is skipped the most. It was found that there was no change in nutrition in positive emotional states, while women consumed more food than men in negative emotions (p<0,05). The rate of those who declared that they consumed their food quickly is %40,60 and it has no relationship with impaired eating behavior or EAT-26 score (p>0,05). The average BMI level is 33.88±6.35. The average BMI of women is higher than men (p<0,05). According to waist circumference and waist/hip ratio levels, 85.7% and 87.97% of the participants, respectively, are at very high and increased health risk. %50,38 of the participants stated that they felt overweight and %18,80 felt overweight. Disordered eating behavior is more common in individuals who feel overweight (p<0,05). HbA1c and fasting blood glucose levels are higher in men, Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels are higher in women (p<0,05). It was determined that there was a weak positive relationship between duration of life with diabetes and HbA1c and fasting blood glucose, and the frequency of experiencing hypoglycemia increased (p<0,05). There was no relationship between biochemical findings, anthropometric measurements, different emotional states, duration of life with diabetes and impaired eating behavior, EAT-26 and DEBS score (p>0,05). Conclusion: Difficulties experienced by individuals with diabetes in diet compliance and self-management may increase the risk of eating behavior disorders. For this reason, after the diagnosis of individuals with diabetes, it is important to initiate medical nutrition treatments by a nutritionist and diet specialist, to increase self-efficacy by providing diabetes education, and to screen for eating disorders. Keywords: Diabetes, diet compliance, eating behaviors, eating disorders.