ASSOCIATION BETWEEN EATING HABITS AND PERSONALITY TRAITS IN ADULTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial condition that affects the physical status, work conditions, quality of life, and eating habits of individuals and their families. The presence of psychological factors such as personality traits are mediators in determining the healthy behaviors of individuals. OBJECTIVE. To explore the association between eating habits and personality traits, as well as the influence of personality traits on the eating habits of adults with type 2 diabetes. METHODOLOGY. Descriptive, cross-sectional study with an explanatory scope, conducted with 84 participants selected by purposive sampling in a primary care module. The Family Eating Habits questionnaire and the NEO-FFI personality inventory were used. RESULTS. Bivariate analysis showed that family eating habits were positively related to agreeableness (p = 0.00) and responsibility (p = 0.00), and negatively related to neuroticism (p = 0.02). The dimensions with high scores included food as a source of pleasure (M = 76.01) and importance of food (M = 70.32). Also, the dimension food as a source of pleasure was positively correlated with agreeableness and responsibility, and inversely correlated with neuroticism (p < 0.01). It was found that the agreeableness trait (F =16.167, p < 0.01) explained 15% of the variance in eating habits of the participants. CONCLUSIONS. People with personality traits of agreeableness and responsibility have better eating habits. However, only the agreeableness trait proved to be a predictor of eating habits of participants with type 2 diabetes.