Snacking is Common in People with Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2 with Insulin Therapy and Is Not Associated With Metabolic Control or Quality of Life

Abstract

Objective The aim of this observational study was to analyse snacking pattern and satisfaction with snacking, and to associate snacking patterns with metabolic control and quality of life in people with diabetes type 1 and 2 on insulin therapy.

Methods In 2017, 390 people with diabetes were interviewed in a university outpatient department: 132 diabetes type 1 (56.1y, diabetes duration 24.2y, HbA1c 7.0%), 89 diabetes type 2/biphasic insulin (72.8y, diabetes duration 22.0y, HbA1c 7.1%) and 169 diabetes type 2/prandial insulin (66.7y, diabetes duration 20.5y, HbA1c 7.0%). Standardised questionnaires were used to assess eating patterns, satisfaction with snacking, treatment satisfaction and quality of life.

Results The far majority snacked regardless of diabetes type and type of insulin therapy (70.5% type 1, 80.9% type 2/biphasic insulin, 74.6% type 2/prandial insulin) and liked to do so or did not mind (type 1 diabetes 79.5%, type 2 diabetes/biphasic insulin 84.8%, type 2 diabetes/prandial insulin 83.5%). Snacking because of recommendations of healthcare professionals was rare (10.8% type 1 diabetes, 8.2% type 2 diabetes/biphasic insulin, 9.4% type 2 diabetes/prandial insulin). Snacking and not snacking participants did not differ in respect to HbA1c, quality of life or treatment satisfaction.

Conclusions Snacking seems to be a common habit in individuals with diabetes and most of them like to snack. Snacking is not associated with better or worse metabolic control or quality of life. The decision to snack or not to snack can be left to the individual and integrated into the therapy without danger for the glycaemic control.

Key words

Snacks - Snacking - Metabolic control - Quality of life - Treatment satisfaction

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