Emotional and uncontrolled eating behaviors are associated with poorer glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent and multifactorial disease closely linked to overweight. Positive associations between body mass index (BMI) and dysfunctional eating behavior have been observed. However, research specifically examining eating behaviors among individuals with T2DM remains limited. We hypothesized that disordered eating behavior in this population is associated with poorer metabolic control. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between eating behavior patterns and metabolic control in outpatients with T2DM. In this cross-sectional study, the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R21) was administered to 238 outpatients with T2DM. BMI, glycemic control, blood lipids concentration, and blood pressure were examined as outcomes. Eating behavior patterns were identified through cluster analysis based on TFEQ-R21 dimensions. Linear regression models were used to investigate the associations between eating behavior patterns and outcomes, adjusting for age, sex, sedentary lifestyle, and psychiatric medication use. The study was approved by the Hospital's Ethics Committee (ID 2020-0654). Two eating behavior patterns were identified: cognitive restraint (n = 174) and emotional and uncontrolled eating behavior (n = 64). The emotional and uncontrolled eating behavior pattern was associated with higher BMI (b = 2.35; 95% CI = 0.68-4.01), HbA1c (b = 0.54; 95% CI = 0.06-1.01), and triglyceride values (b = 64.42; 95% CI = 16.99-111.86) after adjusting for confounders. In this sample of outpatients with T2DM, the emotional and uncontrolled eating behavior pattern was associated with higher BMI, HbA1c, and triglyceride values as compared to the cognitive restraint eating behavior pattern.