Optimized snacking is positively associated with socioeconomic status and better type 2 diabetes mellitus management in Turkish patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) prevalence is increasing worldwide, while incidence/prognosis are strongly affected by diet. Cure remains elusive, hence T2DM management emerges critical, while meal timing, food amount and quality are key for glycemic control. Healthy snack consumption (SC) between meals improves glycemic control by regulating plasma glucose and optimizing insulin secretion. In Turkey, T2DM prevalence is estimated at 13.7% and awareness on SC importance is low. Studies demonstrate a linear relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and T2DM management quality via SC. We aimed to investigate the relationship between SC and T2DM management quality and SES in Turkish patients, an understudied topic to date.