Objective: The purpose of this study was to obtain baseline data on dietary management of employee diabetes. We estimated the prevalence of self-reported diabetes and foods habits.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 using questionnaires distribution in Sarvabad city, located in the west of Iran. The subjects included 455 employees aged 22-54. The statistical analyses were performed using by STATA 11 package program and significant difference was evaluated by t-test and X2-test. A P-value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.
Results: Seventy-nine percent of the participants responded to the baseline questionnaire; of whom 25% were female with mean age of 34.3 years [95% CI: 33.6, 35.0]. 78.5% of the respondents were married. The prevalence rate of diabetes in this employee population was 5.9% (male 3.7% vs. female 12.5%, P < 0.001). Significant differences were found in the mean consumption of dairy products (1 vs. 0.54, respectively, P < 0.001), fruits (1 vs. 0.8, respectively, P = 0.008) and cereal (1 vs. 0.65, respectively, P < 0.001) in diabetes compared to the non-diabetes. The frequency of consumption of liquid oil and fast foods in non-diabetes and diabetes was 0.90, 0.52 (P < 0.001) and 0.55, 0.37(P= 0.03), respectively. Fast foods and liquid oil consumption in non–diabetes were significantly higher than diabetes. No differences were found in vegetable and salt consumption. Frequency of food consumption by diabetes and nondiabetes groups is summarized as follows.
Conclusion: Overall results show that diabetes prevalence among staff is high, therefore, nutrient intake of the staff needs to be improved and a well-balanced diet should be emphasized.