Assessing the Dietary Habits among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Referee to Tehran University of Medical Sciences Affiliated Hospitals, Iran

Desirable dietary behavior adaption is one of the main parts among type 2 diabetes mellitus which can result in preventing and decreasing disease complications. Evidence revealed that improving dietary habits and behaviors can be helpful in diabetes control. This study aimed to assess dietary habits among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus referee to Tehran University of Medical Sciences affiliated hospitals, Iran, in 2012. In this descriptive study, 480 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled by convenience sampling method. The used questionnaire study included socio-demographic aspects; besides, a 51-items self-report instrument was used containing four general questions about dietary habits and four subscales reflecting domains including general diabetes information (12 items), planning, shopping, and preparing meals (6 items), eating meals (17 items) and family influence on dietary habits (12 items). Data collection was conducted in four selected hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Mean age of participants was 59.96 ± 11.53 years. Mean scores of ‘general diabetes information’, ‘planning, shopping, and preparing meals’, ‘eating meals’ and ‘family influence on dietary habits’ were 53.72 ± 19.83, 57.31 ± 23.82, 52.27 ± 12.13, and 64.72 ± 14.3, respectively. ‘Family influence on dietary habits’ was highlighted as the most important domain in dietary habits instrument. In various domains of the questionnaire, food labeling, type and amount of meals calories, attention to eat regular main meals and snack, obtaining perceived support from family achieved the highest mean score. We suggest planning and implementation of theory-based intervention programs aimed to do eating habits modifications in order to improve knowledge and dietary behaviors adopting among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It seems that patient;s family participation, as enabling factors, can facilitate the aim.