A Cross-sectional Study on Dietary Diversity and Diet Cost in Type 2 Diabetic Population

Abstract

Background: Globally, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is considered a major public health disease, influenced by nutrition and lifestyle patterns. The majority of people worldwide consume nutritionally poor, cereal-based diets. Therefore, assessing dietary diversity, macronutrient intake, and food costs is essential for better diabetes management. Objective: To compare the dietary diversity of the Type 2 diabetic population with estimated dietary costs and other relevant parameters. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 adult Type 2 adult diabetic population. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on dietary diversity using the Individual Dietary Diversity Score (IDDS), Food Variety Score (FVS) and diet cost estimation using semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. FVS was associated with nutrition status, Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c), macronutrient consumption, socio economic status and the average daily diet cost of the study population. Results: The majority of the population were overweight. 50% of the population had low dietary diversity and had uncontrolled diabetes with HbA1c of 7-8%. Dietary diversity influenced the nutritional status of diabetic people. There was no difference between socioeconomic and living status, HbA1c and FVS. Females had higher per day cost when compared to males. Mean per day increased with the increase in the macronutrient consumption. Conclusion: Diabetic patients often have low dietary diversity, which affects their nutritional status. Therefore, dietary diversity, along with diet cost, is integral to the effective nutritional care of the diabetic population.