Correlation between external influences and the degree of food processing on the nutritional status of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Keywords:
Diabetes mellitus, type 2, Feeding behavior, Mindful eatingAbstract
Objective
Lifestyle modifications stimulate external influences on diet, which can impact food choices, thus improving the practice of mindful eating. Mindful eating can help identify behaviors related to eating and assist in the recovery of more nutritionally adequate dietary patterns. This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the relationship between external environmental influences on the consumption of ultra-processed foods and the food choices of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Methods
Adult and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and HbA1C were included. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hour recall and categorized according to the NOVA Food Classification. The Mindful Eating Questionnaire and its domains were used to identify external influences. Anthropometric data such as weight, body mass index, and waist circumference were analyzed.
Results
The sample consisted of 325 individuals, 60% of whom were female, with a mean age of 60.85±9.3 years; 58.8% were married and 49.2% were white. Regarding nutritional status, the body mass index was 30.3 ± 4.6 kg/m² and the waist circumference was 103.1±11.7 cm. The NOVA Food Classification identified a higher score in the consumption of unprocessed and minimally processed foods at 64.4% (53.4–73.5) and a lower score in the processed culinary ingredients group at 1.8% (0–5.3). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the external domain of the Mindful Eating Questionnaire and body mass index (r=0.124; p<0.01), weight (r=0.119; p<0.01), and waist circumference (r=0.151; p<0.01); as well as a significant negative association in the consumption of minimally processed foods however, these correlations were weak.
Conclusion
Our study found a correlation between the consumption of unprocessed or minimally processed foods and the external domain of the Mindful Eating Questionnaire. Additionally, the findings show that the greater the external influences on eating, the higher the values of weight, body mass index, and waist circumference.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Fernanda Oliveira Ayala, Júlia Bauer, Angela Cristine Bersch-Ferreira, Rachel Helena Vieira Machado, Ana Maria Pandolfo Feoli, Fernanda Michielin Busnello
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