Depressive and anxiety symptoms and their association with eating behaviours in individuals with Diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

This study aimed to analyse the association of depressive and anxiety symptoms with eating behaviours in individuals with Diabetes mellitus (DM). A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and August 2023 at a university clinic in southern Brazil, with DM aged 18 years or older. Eating behaviours were assessed using the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-21 (uncontrolled eating, cognitive restraint, emotional eating). Depressive and anxiety symptoms were evaluated through the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale. Crude and adjusted linear regression were performed to analyse the associations. A total of 365 individuals were evaluated, of whom 48.9% and 39.1% presented depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Higher scores were observed for emotional eating (mean: 62.4), followed by uncontrolled eating (mean: 57.9) and cognitive restraint (mean: 41.2). Depressive and anxiety symptoms were associated with uncontrolled eating and emotional eating in the crude analysis. These associations remained significant after adjustment. Individuals with depressive symptoms showed scores 7.50 points lower for uncontrolled eating and 9.79 points lower for emotional eating, whereas those with anxiety symptoms showed scores 6.77 points lower for uncontrolled eating and 4.75 points lower for emotional eating. In conclusion, depressive and anxiety symptoms were associated with uncontrolled eating and emotional eating, highlighting the need for integrated nutritional strategies that consider emotional factors for the management of Diabetes mellitus, as well as for promoting treatment adherence and quality of life.