Impact of food security, dietary diversity, and nutritional status on glycemic control among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Fako Division, Cameroon
Copyright © 2025 Betrand Ayuk Tambe, Solange Anige Nkopi Nneh, Fabrice Tonfack Djikeng, Thembekile Dhlamin, Given Chipili, Xikombiso Gertrude Mbhenyane
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents a prevalent metabolic disease that has been increasingly recognized as a global health priority. However, the precise influence of food security, dietary diversity, and nutritional status on glycemic control among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains inadequately characterized.
Aims: This study aimed to assess the association between food security, dietary diversity, nutritional status, and glycemic control in adults diagnosed with T2DM undergoing treatment at Buea and Limbe Regional Hospitals within the Fako Division, Cameroon.
Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed to recruit individuals with T2DM from the aforementioned hospitals. Data collection was conducted using a structured questionnaire, encompassing sociodemographic characteristics, food security status, dietary diversity, nutritional status, blood pressure measurements, and glycemic control assessments. Glycemic control was determined using a glucometer. Data were analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences version 27.0.
Results: The study revealed that 28.8% of respondents exhibited a normal Body Mass Index (BMI), while 41.1% were classified as overweight and 30.1% as obese. Additionally, 12.7% of household experienced food insecurity, compared to 87.3% who were food secure. A majority of respondents (77.9%) reported consuming a diverse diet (≥ 6 food groups), 19.1% consumed 4 – 5 food groups and only 3.0% exhibited a low dietary diversity score (1 – 3 food groups). Additionally, 77.9% of participants presented with poor fasting blood glucose levels, whereas 22.1% demonstrated good fasting blood glucose control. Participants residing in household with ≤ 4 family members were approximately two times more likely to exhibit poor fasting blood glucose compared to those residing in household with > 4 family members (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 1.83, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.02 – 3.28, p = 0.042). However, no significant associations were observed between food insecurity (p = 0.539), low dietary diversity (p = 0.854), high BMI (p = 0.782), fasting blood glucose levels (p > 0.05).
Conclusions: The majority of individuals with T2DM in the study population were classified as overweight or obese, resided in food-secure households, and reported diverse dietary intake. Small family size was identified as a significant factor negatively impacting glycemic control among adult diabetic patients. Educational and dietary interventions aimed at improving nutritional status and blood glycemic control are recommended.
Keywords
How to Cite
Al-Rasheedi, A. A. (2015). Glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in countries of Arabic Gulf. International Journal of Health Sciences, 9(3), 345–350. https://doi.org/10.12816/0024701
Alzaheb, R. A., & Altemani, A. H. (2018). The prevalence and determinants of poor glycemic control among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabia. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity, 11, , 15-21. https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S156214
American Diabetes Association (2011). Standards of medical care in diabetes--2011. Diabetes care, 34 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), S11–S61. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc11-S011
Bakr, E. S. H. (2015). Nutritional assessment of type II diabetic patients. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 14(6), 308-315. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2015.308.315
Berkowitz, S. A., Gao, X., & Tucker, K. L. (2014). Food-insecure dietary patterns are associated with poor longitudinal glycemic control in diabetes: results from the Boston Puerto Rican Health study. Diabetes Care, 37(9), 2587-2592. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc14-0753
Bigna, J. J., Nansseu, J. R., Katte, J. C., & Noubiap, J. J. (2018). Prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes mellitus among adults residing in Cameroon: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 137, 109-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2017.12.005.
Boye, K. S., Lage, M. J., Thieu, V., Shinde, S., Dhamija, S., & Bae, J. P. (2021). Obesity and glycemic control among people with type 2 diabetes in the United States: A retrospective cohort study using insurance claims data. Journal of Diabetes and its Complications, 35(9), 107975.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2021.107975
Bull, F. C., Al-Ansari, S. S., Biddle, S., Borodulin, K., Buman, M. P., Cardon, G., Carty, C., Chaput, J. P., Chastin, S., Chou, R., Dempsey, P. C., DiPietro, L., Ekelund, U., Firth, J., Friedenreich, C. M., Garcia, L., Gichu, M., Jago, R., Katzmarzyk, P. T., Lambert, E., … Willumsen, J. F. (2020). World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54(24), 1451–1462. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-102955
Cioana, M., Deng, J., Nadarajah, A., Hou, M., Qiu, Y., Chen, S. S. J., Rivas, A., Toor, P. P., Banfield, L., Thabane, L., Chaudhary, V., & Samaan, M. C. (2023). Global Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy in Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Network Open, 6(3), e231887. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.1887
Coates J, Swindale A, Bilinsky P. (2007). Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) for measurement of food access: indicator guide. Washington, DC: Food and Nutrition Technical … . (August):Version 3. https://doi.org/10.1037/e576842013-001
Similar Articles
- Assessment of antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Phoenix dactylifera L. seed extracts: Perspective for the development of new foods
- Effect of virgin olive and Pistacia lentiscus oils fortified with tomato lycopene on biochemical parameters in Wistar rats
- Sleep quality and its relationship with climacteric symptoms and quality of life in women on menopausal transition
- Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Validation of the Arabic Version of the STRONGkids Nutrition Screening Tool in the Moroccan Pediatric Clinical Setting
- Nutritional status among pregnant adolescents at maternity teaching hospital
- Immune-stimulating and antioxidant properties of a traditional Algerian plant combination: Date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera) and Fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
- Comparison of lifestyle patterns and body weight management practices between normal weight and obese female university students (Riyadh – Saudi Arabia)
- Consumption patterns of sugar-sweetened beverages among tertiary institution students in Abeokuta, Nigeria and their association with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes using FINDRISC
- The Association Between Perceived Stress, Lifestyle and Dietary Behaviors, and Hypertension Among University Personnel
- Research on food losses and waste in North Africa
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.
NAJFNR is licensed under 