Eating Behavior among Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Poorly Recognized Aspect in a Poorly Controlled Disease

Nutrition intervention is an integral part of type 2 diabetes care. Dietary management entails a series of eating behavior changes regarding meal planning, food selection, food preparation, dining out, portion control, as well as appropriate responses to eating challenges. Diabetic patients encounter several difficulties in complying with the dietary regime. They exhibit restrictive eating behaviors, they express feelings of dietary deprivation, and rigid dietary control is perceived as the only way to a proper diet and weight management. However, pressure to conform to nutritional recommendations may render diabetics more prone to dietary under-reporting. Binge eating, restraint and body dissatisfaction frequently occur among these patients. Health professionals, therefore, need to take into account these difficulties in their collaboration with the patients in order to improve the effectiveness of nutrition intervention.