The Relationship Between Dietary Adherence and Nutritional Status with Blood Glucose Levels Among Hospitalized Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus at Sibuhuan Regional General Hospital

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels due to impaired insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Blood glucose control is essential to prevent complications in patients with DM. Dietary adherence and nutritional status are factors that may be associated with blood glucose levels. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the association between dietary adherence and nutritional status and blood glucose levels among patients with diabetes mellitus at Sibuhuan Regional General Hospital in 2026. Methodology: This study used an analytical observational design with a cross-sectional approach. The study population consisted of 84 patients, with 46 respondents selected using Slovin’s formula with a 10% margin of error. Dietary adherence data were collected through interviews using a questionnaire, while nutritional status and blood glucose level data were obtained from anthropometric measurements and patients’ medical records. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses with Fisher’s exact test at a 95% significance level. Results and Discussion: The results showed that most respondents did not adhere to the diabetes diet (34; 73.9%), and 34 respondents (73.9%) had abnormal blood glucose levels. Bivariate analysis revealed a significant association between dietary adherence and blood glucose levels (p = 0.001). However, no significant association was found between nutritional status and blood glucose levels (p = 0.722). Conclusion: Dietary adherence was associated with blood glucose levels, whereas nutritional status was not significantly associated with blood glucose levels among patients with diabetes mellitus at Sibuhuan Regional General Hospital. Nutrition education and continuous dietary counseling should be strengthened to support blood glucose control and prevent complications in patients with diabetes mellitus