Assessment of barriers to the dietary adherence among type 2 diabetic patients in Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

Authors

  • Sukaina Shabbir School of Public Health, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Camous, Karachi, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4162-3007
  • Mehreen Amer School of Public Health, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Camous, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Saba Mughal School of Public Health, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Camous, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Thamina Rashid National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Habiba Department of Food Sciences Lab, School of Public Health, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Camous, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.10782

Keywords:

Diabetes mellitus, Type 2 diabetes, Dietary adherence, Barriers, Non-adherence, Dietary advice

Abstract

Objective: To assess the common barriers responsible for non-adherence to dietary recommendations among type 2 diabetic patients.

Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted from October 4, 2021, to March 6, 2022, at the National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, and comprised type 2 diabetes patients of either gender aged 18-80 years who had previously been given recommended dietary advice. Dietary barriers were assessed using a 27-item validated questionnaire, and the subjects were compared in terms of age and diabetes duration. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory parameters were also measured. Data were analysed using Stata 17.

Results: Of the 312 subjects, 234(75%) were females. The overall mean age was 52.2±11.2 years, and mean body mass index was 27.2±5.5kg/m2. The reliability of the questionnaire was established with Cronbach’s alpha 0.89. Factor analysis yielded 8 common barriers; lack of knowledge about dietary recommendations (variance: 14.7%), situational barrier (variance: 10.7%), lack of family support (variance: 9.5%), stress-related eating problems (variance: 9.1%), boring and monotonous diet (variance: 8.0%), expensive and ineffective diet recommended (variance: 6.5%), work conditions/don’t like food in diet (variance: 5.5%), and feeling hungry and weak (variance: 5.4%). The total variation explained by all the 8 factors was 69.4%.

Conclusion: Lack of knowledge regarding dietary recommendations was reported to be the most common barrier towards recommended dietary adherence.

Key Words: Diabetes mellitus, Type 2 diabetes, Dietary adherence, Barriers, Non-adherence, Dietary advice.

Author Biographies

Sukaina Shabbir, School of Public Health, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Camous, Karachi, Pakistan

Lecturer at School of Public health, Dow University of health Sciences

Mehreen Amer, School of Public Health, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Camous, Karachi, Pakistan

Lecturer at the School of Public Health

Saba Mughal, School of Public Health, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Camous, Karachi, Pakistan

Biostatistician, Lecturer at the School of public health

Thamina Rashid, National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan

National Insitute of Diabetes & Endocrinology, DUHS

Published

2024-08-23

How to Cite

Shabbir, S., Amer, M., Mughal, S., Rashid, T., & Habiba. (2024). Assessment of barriers to the dietary adherence among type 2 diabetic patients in Pakistan: a cross-sectional study. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 74(9), 1638–1644. https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.10782

Issue

Section

RESEARCH ARTICLE