The Relationship Between Nutritional Status and Self-Esteem in Adult Women with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aim: This study was aimed to determine the relationship between nutritional knowledge level and self-esteem in adult women with type 2 diabetes. Material and Method: The sample of this descriptive cross-sectional study consisted of 387 participants. Data were collected in an endocrinology outpatient clinic via face-to-face interviews. The data collection form consisted of a 'Personal Information Form', 'Nutrition Habits Section', 'Nutrition Knowledge Level and Food Preference Scale', 'Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale'. Number and percentage were used in the SPSS package program. Results that were not normally distributed were evaluated according to non-parametric tests. Results: The mean age of the participants was 42.00±11.35 years and the educational level of 31.2% was primary school. The mean total score of the scales obtained by the participants was average. In the study, no relationship was found between basic nutrition knowledge level and food preference and self-esteem in adult women with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: Basic nutrition knowledge and food preferences of women with Type 2 Diabetes were moderate and their self-esteem was adequate. It is important for health professionals to plan individual trainings by determining the nutritional knowledge levels and food preferences of women, and to ensure that diabetes control and self-esteem are increased in the effective management of diabetes and in the promotion of women's health.