The incidence of obesity and Type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide and poses a significant burden on human health. A number of studies have demonstrated the importance of quality of food in obese and Type 2 diabetic individuals. This study aims to assess eating and taste preferences and determines any existing associations with biochemical, anthropometric and lifestyle parameters in patients with obesity and/or Type 2 diabetes in the district of Tlemcen (West Algeria).
This cross-sectional study was conducted in the period between 2019 and 2022. In total, 180 Algerian adults completed the study. The participants filled out the questionnaire on food preferences, physical activity, prescribed diet and eating frequency and anthropometric measurements.
The mean age of the participants was 62.67 ± 9.70 years; 63.03 ± 9.55 years and 61.33 ± 12.70 years for diabetic obese (DO), diabetic non-obese (DNO) and obese subjects, respectively. Sexe difference was associated with different taste scores in the three populations. There were also differences in the mean frequency consumption of the different food, with men tended to consume sweets and confectionery (p = 0.003) and legumes (p = 0.003); women consumed more cereals (p < 0.001) and sweets (p < 0.001) in DO and DNO patients, respectively.
The findings indicate a strong association between taste preferences and food choice with Type 2 diabetes and obesity, and reinforce implication of diet as a strategy in monitoring the disease.
