Diet quality according to age group of subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus from primary health care centres in Copiapó (Chile)

Globally, 537 million adults (20-79 years) had diabetes mellitus in 2021 (10.5%), and the estimate is projected to rise to over 643 million (11.3%) by 2030 (1) . The estimated prevalence for Chile was 12.7%, 90–95% of which were type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) cases (1) . In the last decades, it has been shown the importance of diet quality in the management and prognosis of T2DM (2) . Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate diet quality in subjects with T2DM from primary health care centres (PHCC) in Copiapo according to age group. A cross-sectional study was performed within the CODIACO cohort, with data collected on 160 participants during 2023. This population-based study involved women and men from 30 to 65 years, with T2DM, and users of PHCCs of Copiapo. Pregnant and lactating women, patients with diabetic neuropathy or nephropathy, cancer, and severe infectious or inflammatory diseases were excluded. Sociodemographic data were recorded, and diet quality was measured through a Mediterranean dietary index (MDI) validated in the Chilean population (3) . Participants were categorised by age (≤ 50 years, 50-60 years, ≥ 60 years). The following categories were considered for MDI score: high (9-14 points), moderate (5-8.5 points), and low (<5 points) adherence. One-factor analysis of variance with the Bonferroni correction test and Chi-square test were used to assess differences in MDI according to age groups. The results were expressed as percentages or mean and standard deviation. A p-value of less than 0.050 was considered statistically significant. The CODIACO study was approved by the Scientific Ethics Committee of the University de Atacama. The project was funded by FONDECYT (N° 11180794). The mean age of the participants was 55.64 ± 7.48 years, and the MDI score was 6.28 (moderate diet quality). 19.4% of subjects (≤ 50 years, 13.7% of those aged 50-60 years, and 27.5% of those ≥ 60 years had low diet quality. Moderate diet quality was found in the majority of individuals from the three groups, with 72.2%, 78.1%, and 60.8%, respectively. Only 8.3% of the subjects ≤ 50 years, 8.2% of those aged 50-60 years, and 11.8% of those ≥ 60 years had high diet quality. No significant differences were observed between the means of the MDI scores of each group (p = 0.578), nor in the proportion of subjects with low, medium or high diet quality in each group (p = 0.325). The findings of the present study showed subjects with T2DM and users of the PHCCs of Copiapo (Chile) had a moderate diet quality, mainly. The proportion of patients with low, moderate, and high diet quality was similar among those ≤ 50 years, those 50-60 years, and those ≥ 60 years. Further investigations are needed to evaluate in depth the diet in this population.