Assessing Dietary Habits of Saudi Patients With Type 2 Diabetes at Primary Healthcare Centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent chronic metabolic disorder characterized by impaired glucose regulation. Managing T2DM requires healthy dietary habits to achieve glycemic control and reduce the risk of complications. However, T2DM patients often struggle to adhere to these patterns due to cultural practices, socioeconomic factors, and insufficient nutritional education. Saudi Arabia has the second-highest prevalence of diabetes in the Middle East and ranks seventh in the world. Aim The current study aimed to evaluate dietary habits and assess the associated factors with them, such as sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Methods This cross-sectional, observational, survey-based study was conducted between January and July 2023. Adult patients with T2DM attending primary healthcare centers in Jeddah Second Health Cluster, Saudi Arabia, were included in the study. Pediatric patients who are not Saudi and have type I diabetes or gestational diabetes mellitus were excluded from the study. The data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire, the UK Diabetes and Diet Questionnaire (UKDDQ). Statistical analysis was performed using the computer program IBM SPSS (version 26.0, IBM Corp., Armonk, USA). The total score of questions from question 1 to question 24 (except questions 18, 20, 22, and 23) was calculated for everyone regarding the validated questionnaire. Comparisons between the demographic factors and UKDDQ scores (not normally distributed) were conducted using the Mann-Whitney test. A Spearman's test was done to explore the correlation between the numerical factors and the scores of the questions. The p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The study included 428 Saudi patients with T2DM with a mean (standard deviation (SD)) age of 47.8 ± 11.7 years old. More than two-thirds were overweight 165 (38.6%) and obese 124 (29.0%). Two-thirds of the patients were married 278 (65%), and most were employed 322 (75.2%). The mean (SD) of the total UKDDQ score was 2.7 ± 0.4 out of 5. The results showed that males demonstrated better dietary habits than females, as reflected in their higher UKDDQ scores (P = 0.029). Additionally, patients with a university education or higher, as well as unemployed individuals, reported significantly better scores (P = 0.022 and P < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, participants without a family history of diabetes had higher UKDDQ scores compared to those with such a history (P = 0.009). There was also a very weak positive correlation between age and UKDDQ scores (r = 0.135, P = 0.005). Conversely, a very weak negative correlation was found between Body Mass Index (BMI) and the number of years living with diabetes (r = -0.096), as well as between BMI and UKDDQ scores (r = -0.156), both with significant p-values (P = 0.049 and P = 0.001, respectively). Conclusions The findings underscore the complexity of factors influencing T2DM patients' dietary habits. Notably, males and participants with lower BMI, higher education, unemployment, and those without a family history or complications exhibited more favorable dietary scores. Essential approaches include tailored interventions, health literacy initiatives, community programs, family involvement, long-term follow-up, multidisciplinary care, and addressing socioeconomic barriers are crucial to improve glycemic control and preventing diabetes-related complications.