Eating Attitudes, Treatment Adherence, and Obesity in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex disease that directly affects an individual's quality of life and metabolic control and is closely related not only to physiological factors but also to behavioral and psychosocial factors. This study aims to investigate the relationship between eating attitudes, treatment adherence, and obesity in individuals with T2DM.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2024 and May 2025 at a state hospital in Şanlıurfa, Türkiye. The patients diagnosed with T2DM and were undergoing active treatment were participated to the study. Data collection tools included a socio-demographic information form, the Eating Attitudes Test-26, and the Assessment Scale for Treatment Compliance in T2DM; additionally, fasting blood glucose (FBG), Haemoglobin A1c test (HbA1c), and body mass index (BMI) data were evaluated.
Results: A total of 106 individuals aged 18 and over who had been diagnosed with T2DM and were undergoing active treatment participated in the study. A negative correlation was observed between eating attitudes and treatment adherence (r=-0.410, p<0.001). Restrictive eating behavior showed a positive correlation with FBG and HbA1c (r=-0.433, p<0.001; r=-0.412, p<0.001) and a negative correlation with BMI (r=0.272, p=0.005). Additionally, treatment adherence positively correlated with FBG and HbA1c (r=0.297, p=0.002; r=0.230, p=0.018).
Discussion and Conclusion: In T2DM treatment, approaches should address both biomedical indicators and individuals' eating attitudes. This study underscores the need for individualized, behavior-based interventions to enhance treatment adherence and metabolic control.

Keywords: Eating attitude; Obesity; Treatment adherence; Type 2 diabetes