Adherence to Local Diabetic Dietary Guidelines, as Measured by a Validated Questionnaire, Predicts Glucose Management in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have shown a low adherence to dietary recommendations. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) follow local (Pakistan) nutritional guidelines. We hypothesized that lack of adherence to the nutritional guidelines would be associated with high HbA1c.

Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Endocrine and Medicine Department of Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, from September 2019 to March 2020. Hospitalized type I & II diabetic patients were assessed using the Perceived Dietary Adherence Questionnaire (PDAQ), and anthropometric measurements were observed. The patients' medical history and demographic details were obtained on a pre-designed questionnaire.

Result: It was found that the majority of the enrolled patients had poor dietary adherence (88.6%). About 78.2% of the participants were physically inactive, and only 16.8% were engaged in routine exercise. The majority of the study participants, 80.6% of them, we're living in an urban area. 89.1% of the population was exposed to Diabetes Mellitus (DM)-related diet education and 88.6% of patients had poor adherence. 63.2% of patients followed recommended dietary practices, 79.3% encountered problems remembering eating foods as per the advice of a healthcare provider, and 57.5% lacked information that might have influenced compliance with dietary recommendations.

Conclusion: We conclude that a high percentage of non-adherence to the dietary recommendation was found among Pakistani patients with DM.