The Relationship Between Intuitive Eating, Diabetes-Related Health Knowledge, and Psychological Health Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Intuitive eating, diabetes-related knowledge, and psychological well-being are relevant to person-centered diabetes care. This study examined their associations among adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A single-center cross-sectional study included 300 adults with T2DM recruited by convenience sampling. Intuitive eating, diabetes-related knowledge, diabetes-related distress, psychological distress, eating-related concerns, and perceived stress were assessed using self-report instruments. Associations were examined using Pearson chi-square tests and Cramér’s V. Results: Higher intuitive-eating classification was significantly associated with better diabetes-related knowledge (χ2(2) = 102.00, p < 0.001, V = 0.583), lower diabetes-related distress (χ2(1) = 102.80, p < 0.001, V = 0.585), psychological-distress category (χ2(3) = 25.69, p < 0.001, V = 0.293), lower eating-related concern category (χ2(2) = 95.98, p < 0.001, V = 0.566), and lower perceived stress (χ2(2) = 98.25, p < 0.001, V = 0.572). Conclusions: The findings indicate statistically significant cross-sectional associations but do not establish temporal direction, causality, intervention effectiveness, or metabolic safety.