The analysis of eating habits of diabetics in the USA

Besides the good drug compliance, appropriate nutrition plays important role in successful management of the metabolic aspects of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), and in the prevention of diabetes-related conditions. The goal of this study was to analyze eating habits among DM2 patients in the United States. The Fat- and Fiber-Related Diet Habits Questionnaire (A.Shattuck, 1998) was used in this study to obtain identical data for comparison. The original version was slightly adjusted according to the local habits. The study took place at the El Rio Community Health Center clinics in Tucson, Arizona, USA; during the time period of three months (September to December 2011). Patients with DM2 patients visiting the clinic were recruited for participation. Once patients were given the questionnaire, answers were put into the database created in an Excel application (Microsoft Office 2010) and analyzed using the frequency analysis. 207 patients filled out the questionnaire. The mean age was 56,8 ± 12,6 years, the mean age when diagnosed with DM2 was 45,3 ± 12,7 years, BMI 33,2 ± 7,8 kg/m2, the mean waist circumference 109,7 ± 19,7 cm and the mean A1C was 8,1± 1,7% (ad DCCT). 10% of participants were treated only by the diet, 49% with peroral antidiabetics (PAD), 14% with insulin, and 28% with combination..