title: Diabetes-related nutrition knowledge and dietary intake among adults with type 2 diabetes.
abstract: Nutrition knowledge and skills enable individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) to make food choices that optimise metabolic self-management and quality of life. The present study examined the relationship between nutrition knowledge and skills, and nutrient intake in T2DM. A cross-sectional analysis of diabetes-related nutrition knowledge and nutrient intake was conducted in 124 T2DM individuals managed in usual care (64% male, age 57.4 (sd 5.6) years, BMI 32.5 (sd 5.8) kg/m2), using the Audit of Diabetes Knowledge (ADKnowl) questionnaire and a 4 d food diary. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, food label use and weight management were also collected. The average ADKnowl dietary subscale score was 59.2 (sd 16.4) %. Knowledge deficits relating to the impact of macronutrients/foods on blood glucose and lipids were identified. Lower diabetes-related nutrition knowledge was associated with lower intakes of sugar (10.8 (sd 4.7) v. 13.7 (sd 4.6) % for lower dietary knowledge score v. higher dietary knowledge score, P< 0.001), non-milk sugar (9.1 (sd 4.8) v. 12.1 (sd 4.7) % for lower dietary knowledge score v. higher dietary knowledge score, P< 0.001) and fruit/vegetables (230.8 (sd 175.1) v. 322.8 (sd 179.7) g for lower dietary knowledge score v. higher dietary knowledge score, P< 0.001), and higher dietary glycaemic index (GI) (61.4 (sd 4.5) v. 58.4 (sd 4.6) for lower dietary knowledge score v. higher dietary knowledge score, P< 0.002). The majority of the participants were dissatisfied with their weight. Sugar was the most frequently checked nutrient on food labels (59%), with only 12.1% checking foods for their energy content. Significant knowledge and skill deficits, associated with the impact of macronutrients/foods on metabolic parameters and food label use, were found. Lower diabetes-related nutrition knowledge was associated with lower sugar and fruit/vegetable intake and higher dietary GI. Dietary education, integrated throughout the lifespan of T2DM, may improve nutrition knowledge and skills and promote more balanced approaches to dietary self-management of T2DM.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Unit, Saint Columcille's Hospital,Loughlinstown,County Dublin,Republic of Ireland.
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Breen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin,Belfield,Dublin 4,Republic of Ireland.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin,Belfield,Dublin 4,Republic of Ireland.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gibney
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Unit, Saint Columcille's Hospital,Loughlinstown,County Dublin,Republic of Ireland.
authors.forename: Donal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Shea
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy*; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D015930:Diet Records; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D038321:Glycemic Index; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables; D055105:Waist Circumference
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008055:Lipids
keywords: Diabetes education; Dietary intake; Nutrition knowledge; Type 2 diabetes