Would You Want to Be What You Eat? Food Behaviors Associate with Diabetes Status in U.S. Adults

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Diabetes and prediabetes are a major public health concern in the United States. It is unknown how food-related behaviors are influenced by diabetes status. Therefore this study assessed the association between diabetes status and food behaviors (meal preparation, food procurement, and food spending) among U.S. adults. Methods Data from 8799 adults from the 2005–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were categorized by glycated hemoglobin levels (A1c%): nondiabetes (<5.7%; n = 5455), prediabetes (5.7–6.4%; n = 2273), and diabetes (>6.5%; n = 1071). A1c levels were compared with meal preparation, food procurement, and spending data. Age-adjusted analyses for total and by sex (n = 4481 females and n = 4318 males) were performed. Results All adults (P = 0.002) and males (P = 0.001) with diabetes and prediabetes spent less money dining out than those without diabetes. Those with diabetes had a significantly further distance to grocery stores among the adult (P = 0.018) and male samples (P = 0.032). Females with diabetes spent more on carryout/delivered foods (P = 0.025) and ate fewer meals per week with family (P = 0.039) than those without diabetes. Females with diabetes were less likely to serve as the main food shoppers (P = 0.012) and males with diabetes were less likely to share meal planning/preparation responsibilities (P = 0.034). Conclusions Diabetes status associates with meal preparation, food procurement, and spending behaviors, and differs for males and females. These findings support the importance of addressing the behavioral context of food choices to help support a healthier diet and lifestyle for all adults. Funding Sources Abbott Nutrition.