KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES (KAP) REGARDING DIET AMONG DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS IN WESTERN MAHARASHTRA

Diabetes mellitus (Ziyabetus Shakari) is a major chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia and associated with significant morbidity and long-term complications. Dietary knowledge, attitudes, and practices play an important role in diabetes management. However, gaps in nutritional knowledge and adherence to recommended dietary practices remain important concerns, particularly among patients in Maharashtra. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, aged 20–60 years, attending the IPD/OPD of the concerned hospital. Patients with random blood sugar below 180 mg/dl were included. Data were collected through a structured 30-item questionnaire assessing dietary knowledge, attitudes, and practices, along with relevant sociodemographic information. Face-to-face interviews were conducted, and ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Among the 250 participants, 48.8% were aged 41–50 years, while 38.8% were aged 51–60 years. Males constituted 57.2% and females 42.8%. Regarding knowledge, 63.2% had low knowledge, 33.6% had moderate knowledge, and only 3.2% had high knowledge. Attitude was negative in 69.6%, neutral in 17.6%, and positive in 12.8% of participants. Self-care practices were poor in 92.8%, while 7.2% demonstrated moderate practices and none demonstrated good practices. The association of knowledge, attitude, and practice with age was statistically non-significant. The study demonstrates substantial gaps in dietary knowledge, attitude, and self-care practices among patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The high proportion of patients with poor knowledge and inadequate practices indicates a need for structured, culturally appropriate dietary education, continuous counseling, and community-based interventions to improve diabetes self-management and reduce the risk of complications.