Eating behavior affects quality of life in type 2 diabetes mellitus

We evaluated the prevalence of disordered eating behavior in 168 unselected outpatients with type 2 diabetes and the effects on the health related quality of life (HRQL). Subjects in generally good glycemic control, treated by diet or oral hypoglycemic agents (58% M; 63.8 ± SD 10.1 years; BMI, 29.7 ± 5.9 kg/m2) completed self-administered questionnaires for HRQL (SF-36) and eating behavior (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ); Binge Eating Scale (BES)). Data on HRQL were computed as effect-sizes in comparison to population norm. The prevalence of altered TFEQ scales was not different between genders, and varied between 22.1% (disinhibition) and 41.4% (restriction), but only 6.7% had a positive BES score. Age (OR, 0.58 for decade; 95% CI, 0.39 – 0.87), duration of diabetes (OR, 1.33 for 5 years; 1.01 – 1.74) and BMI (OR, 1.11; 1.04 – 1.18) were predictive for the presence of disinhibition. BMI also predicted hunger (OR, 1.16; 1.08 – 1.25). SF36 domains were not different in relation to positive BES. Disinhibition at TFEQ was significantly associated with poor Social Functioning (P = 0.018) and Role-Emotional (P = 0.022), whereas hunger was associated with poor Physical Functioning (P = 0.010), Role-Physical (P = 0.0014), Social Functioning (P = 0.015) and Role-Emotional (P = 0.0001). Metabolic control, duration of diabetes, and the presence of complications were not associated with HRQL. A disordered eating behavior may be present in type 2 diabetes patients, and is associated with poor HRQL. This condition must be considered for an olistic approach to weight control.