Assessment of Lifestyle Risk Factors in Female Citizens of Saudi-Arabia with Type 2 Diabetes: Dietary Factors and Physical Activity

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health problem worldwide. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the top 10 countries for the development of this non-communicable disease. The aim of this study was to identify critical lifestyle risk factors in female Saudi citizens with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by assessing dietary habits, physical activity patterns, sedentary behaviors and health-related quality of life. This cross-sectional case-control study was carried out in Jeddah city. A total of 100 Saudi females clinically diagnosed with T2DM aged between 30 to 65 years and another 100 gender-and age -matched non-diabetic controls were recruited. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using a dietary habits questionnaire, the short-form of the International Physical Activity questionnaire (IPAQ) and the EuroQol instrument. Comparison of both groups revealed statistically significant differences in marital status, educational level, professional status and household income between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. Obesity was more common in diabetic participants (64%) compared with non-diabetic (44%, P<0.05). The majority of the diabetic subjects showed unhealthy dietary behaviors and did not meet the daily recommended intake from food groups and macronutrients compared with the control group. Physical activity assessment revealed that 20% of both diabetic subjects and controls were physically inactive with no significant differences in physical activity patterns or sedentary behavior between the groups. In conclusion, dietary habits, PA and sedentary behavior may act as powerful promoters of T2DM in Saudi females.