Dietary Attitudes and Knowledge Assessment: A Cross-Sectional Study among Type 2DM Patients in Saudi Arabia

Diabetes, which is known as hyperglycemia caused by a complete or partial lack of insulin or by a reduction in its effectiveness, is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. KSA ranks 7th globally and 2nd in the Middle East in terms of diabetes prevalence. To assess and evaluate the knowledge and attitude level of dietary among type 2 DM patients in Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire was used to carry out this cross-sectional study. The survey was made available via social media platforms targeting type 2 diabetes patients living in Saudi Arabia. A total of 384 diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia older than 18 years, males and females were included in the study sample. SPSS software was used to conduct statistical analysis. The study included 405 participants, 55.6% of them were females while 44.4% were males. A significant proportion of individuals possess poor knowledge of diet, accounting for 69.9% of the total. Meanwhile, 25.2% exhibit a moderate level of understanding, while only 4.9% possess good knowledge. 58% of participants expressed a positive attitude towards diet, 36% a neutral attitude, and 5.9% a negative attitude. In conclusion, the study shows that participants exhibited poor knowledge and attitude toward diet among T2DM patients. Knowledge and attitude scores were not statistically significant with any of the sociodemographic characters. By conducting a comprehensive assessment, healthcare providers can develop targeted interventions and educational programs to improve dietary practices and ultimately enhance the overall health outcomes of T2DM patients in Saudi Arabia.