Aim: Evaluate the possible association between intuitive eating (IE) patterns and metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods: Cross-sectionally, outpatients with T2DM attended in University Hospital (Brazil) were submitted to clinical, laboratory, and lifestyle evaluation. IE was assessed by Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2). Metabolic control evaluated were BMI, HbA1c, LDL and triglycerides targets according to ADA recommendations. Eating patterns were identified by cluster analysis and patients characteristics were compared by appropriate tests. P<0.05 (two-tailed) was considered statistically significant. Study approved Hospital's Ethics Committee (2020-0654).

Results: A total of 267 patients were evaluated: 62.2% female, 60 (53-65) years old, BMI=31.9±5.4kg/m², diabetes duration=16±9 years, HbA1c=8.5±1.5%, and median IES-2 total score was 58 (50-67)%. Three IE patterns were identified: Pattern 1=patients with higher intuitive eating; Pattern 2=non emotional-oriented coping; Pattern 3=patients with lower intuitive eating. Pattern 3 patients were younger, included a higher proportion of women, with obesity, psychotropic drugs use, and higher HbA1c values than those in Pattern 1, but not than Pattern 2. Pattern 1 patients presented a lower BMI, fasting plasma glucose and serum triglycerides values as compared to the other groups (P<0.05 for all analyses). Logistic regression models confirmed the association of Pattern 3 with higher obesity prevalence (OR=2.21; 95%CI=1.04-4.70) and triglycerides values out of target (OR=3.32; 95%CI=1.53-7.71) as compared to Pattern 1, after adjusting for confounders. No associations were observed between HbA1c out of target and lower intuitive eating.

Conclusion: In this sample of outpatients with T2DM, eating less intuitively was associated with higher obesity prevalence and triglycerides values out of target as compared to eating more intuitively.

Disclosure

J.Almeida: None. O.G.Koller: None. V.M.Menezes: None. A.Busanello: None.

Funding

CAPES (001); FIPE/HCPA (2020-0654)

© 2023 by the American Diabetes Association
2023
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