How Dietary Knowledge, Motivation, Competency and Clinical Support Relate to Dietary Adherence in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

This mixed methods study examined and explored how dietary adherence relate to dietary knowledge, motivation, competency, and clinical support in adults with T2D in the United States. Sixty-nine participants completed a survey. Dietary adherence, dietary knowledge, motivation, competency, and clinical support were measured. Eight participants were interviewed to explore their perspectives on dietary knowledge, motivation, competency, and clinical support regarding to dietary adherence. Dietary knowledge and competency were significantly associated with dietary adherence, r = .28; r = .46, p < .05, respectively. Competency and knowledge were significant predictors of dietary adherence, β = .44, p < .001; β = .24, p < .03, respectively. There was a significant difference on dietary knowledge scores based on diabetes duration between 11+ group and ≤ 5 group, MD = 2.00 ± .785, p = .039. There was a significant difference on motivation scores based on level of education between < = high school and post high school (M = 40.9 ± 7.45; 36.1 ± 7.40, p = .041), respectively. Thematic coding revealed motivation as a contributor for changing diet to avoid health risks and dietary information by clinical support was lacking. Nutritional information, level of clinical support, motivation, and competency are all important factors that drive dietary adherence in adults with T2D.