Food Intake Patterns in Controlled vs. Uncontrolled Diabetic Patients in a sample of Egyptian population

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has emerged as a major public health and economic burden of
the 21st century.
Objective: This observational study aimed to assess dietary carbohydrate intake and examine its association
with glycemic control among Egyptian patients with T2DM.
Patients and methods: This was a case-control study conducted at the outpatient clinic of a Family Health
Care Center, El-Obour City, Qaliobia, Egypt in the period from the first of April 2022 to the end of June 2023.
Data from 90 diabetic participants, consisting of 45 in the controlled group with HbA1c ˂ 7gm/dl and 45 in
the uncontrolled group with HbA1c ≥7 gm/dl, were analyzed. Anthropometric measurements and dietary intake
including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fried foods, sweetened beverages, sweets, and pastries along with
physical activity levels, were collected through an interview survey..
Results: The uncontrolled group consumed more frequent meals and higher amounts of bread, rice, and
macaroni, showing significant differences in carbohydrate intake compared to the controlled group. While
there were no significant differences in cooked vegetable, fruit, egg, or milk consumption, the controlled group
ate more fresh vegetables and consumed significantly more daily salt. The uncontrolled group had higher fast
food and soft drink consumption, but protein intake was similar between the groups
Conclusion: This study's findings indicate that individuals with uncontrolled diabetes don’t typically adhere
to a healthy diet, and their levels of physical activity may not be sufficient.
Key words: Carbohydrate; T2DM; dietary pattern; food intake.
INTRODUCTION
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has emerged as a major public health and economic burden of the 21st
century (1). According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), more than half a billion people are living
with diabetes worldwide, 90% of whom have T2DM (2). By 2045, the IDF projects there will be an estimated
108 million diabetic patients in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region (3). Regarding the
epidemiology of DM in Egypt, the IDF reports that Egypt has the tenth-highest prevalence of DM in the world
(2), with 10.930.700 adult diabetes patients in early 2021 and a prevalence of 18.4 %, which may be an
underestimate (2).
Nutrition and lifestyle practices are acknowledged as integral components of successful T2DM
management plans in improving patients’ clinical outcomes and quality of life (4). In the past ten years, there
has been a rise in various dietary strategies aimed at aiding individuals with T2DM. These alternative .