Association between dietary habits, body composition indices and HbA1c of adult type-2 diabetes patients attending routine out-patient clinic review: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background and objectives: Low intake of fruits, vegetables, excessive energy intake and reduced physical activities has been associated with type-2 diabetes (T2DM) and it associated co-morbidities. Unhealthy dietary patterns and increased body fat (adiposity), which are associated with increased inflammation, can also serve as a precursor for the development of co-morbidities in patients with T2DM. Good dietary habits such as increased fibre intake are associated with reduction of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), improved lipid profile and loss of body weight. Quantification of adiposity and its relation to dietary habits and HbA1c levels are thus important for assessing future health risks and development of T2DM co-morbidities. The objective of the study was to determine the association between dietary habits, body composition and HbA1c of T2DM patients, attending routine out-patient review clinic in Northern-western Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving one hundred and seventeen (117) subjects, aged between 35 and 64 years. Pregnant women, subjects with concomitant debilitating illness and impaired memory or cognitive functions were excluded. Dietary habits was assessed with validated FFQ, body composition with Omron Bio-impedance analyser (OMRON HBF-516b, Japan) and % glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) measured with Quo-lab. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Associations and correlations were determined for all variables of interest using chi-square and significance set at p≤0.05. Results: Mean age and BMI of participants were 52.9744 ± 8.74097 and 27.5845 ± 4.79002 respectively, with mean % body fat of 35.3835 ± 10.2815, indicating high adiposity. Mean %HbA1c was 9.44783 ± 4.28958 indicating poor glycaemic controls. Dietary habits represented by predictors such as type of Carbohydrate consumed,type of fibre intake and type of fat intake significantly correlated with % body fat (p<0.049) and HbA1c (p<0.041). Conclusions: Strategies focusing on improving healthy food intake habits which could lead to prevention of excess adiposity and better glycaemic control is urgently required to prevent onset of T2DM complications and co-morbidities