Mindful Eating and Current Glycemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Objective Lifestyle adjustments are essential in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Mindful eating involves being more attentive to and aware of meals. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between mindful eating and glycemic control, as well as body mass index (BMI), in people with T2DM. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study included 448 participants who had been diagnosed with T2DM for at least six months. The participants were categorized into three groups based on their HbA1c levels. The Turkish adaptation of the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ-30) was employed to assess levels of mindful eating behavior. Obesity was defined as a BMI ≥ 30. Anthropometric measurements, laboratory tests, and questionnaire responses were also collected. Results Participants with well-controlled diabetes (HbA1c ≤7%) demonstrated significantly higher scores on the MEQ-30 and its various subgroups in comparison to those with poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c >9%). The suboptimal glycemic control groups exhibited noticeable variations in mindful eating behaviors. Moreover, participants with lower BMIs displayed stronger inclinations toward mindful eating. Weak negative correlations were observed between BMI and specific MEQ-30 subgroups. Notably, subgroups such as emotional eating, eating control, eating discipline, and interference demonstrated weak negative correlations with the HbA1c levels. Conclusion Higher levels of mindful eating were associated with lower levels of HbA1c and BMI, indicating that incorporating mindful eating practices may present promising advantages for individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, specifically in terms of glycemic control and weight management.