Obesity-related abnormal eating behaviors in Type 2 diabetic patients

Objectives: To determine the obesity-related abnormal eating behaviors in Type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: It was a cross-sectional study involving 120 Type 2 diabetic patients. Body weight and height of the individuals were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Bulimic Investigatory Test-Edinburg (BITE) was used to measure binge eating attitudes. Night eating symptoms were defined as consuming > 25% of daily energy after suppertime. To determine the glycaemic control, HbA1c levels were analyzed. Data analyzed by SPSS 13.0 for Windows.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 55.3±9.29 years. The mean diabetes duration was 11.1±2.04 years. The 50% of the patients had a BMI higher than 25kg/m2. The obese diabetic patients were more likely to have diabetic complications than non-obese subjects (x2 = 8.588, p=0.040). The percentages of the diabetic patients who met the criteria for binge eating and night eating were 17.2% and 42% respectively. Half of the patients were skipping a main meal per day. The frequencies of obesity-related abnormal eating behaviors were not statistically different in obese patients versus non-obese participants (p > 0.05). The mean HbA1c levels were higher in diabetic patients than biochemical references and there was a significant difference between obese and non-obese patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Obesity-related abnormal eating behaviors were prevalent in Type 2 diabetic patients and related with diabetic complications and glycaemic control.