Factors Influencing Dietary Practice among Type 2 Diabetics

Abstract

Result: The majority of the sample was 50 years old with low educational level. Most of them were overweight and obese and had poor HbA1c level (>7%). However, patients had good family support and high motivation to see a dietician and to follow diet regimen if given. Despite all previous indications to reinforce diabetic self-management education, specifically dietary advice, 56 (14%) denied receiving any dietary advice. The majority received their dietary advice from doctors and only 65 (16.3%) received advice from the diabetic nurse. Most patients never have been referred neither to a dietician nor to a health educator (318 (79.5%), 338 (84.5%) respectively). Although, patients had mainly average and good dietary practice, it may not indicate the actual dietary habits of the studied patients due to some limitations in the study. The two main barriers to dietary regimen are “it takes efforts” were 183 (45.8%) and “being busy” were 178 (45.5%).