FAMILY FUNCTIONING AND SOCIAL SUPPORT ON THE EATING HABITS OF PEOPLE WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

Abstract

Objective: To analyze how family functioning and the social support perceived and provided by the family members influence the eating habits of people with type 2 diabetes. Material and Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study with a correlational design and convenience sampling. A total of 161 family dyads (322 participants in total) were recruited from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Of these participants, 161 had type 2 diabetes and 161 were family members. The APGAR Family and Berlin Social Support Scales, the Family Eating Habits Questionnaire, and a data sheet were applied. Results: Women
predominated; the average age was 52.2 (patients) and 36.1 (family members). Families consisted of
nuclear families with an average of 4.24 members. Eating habits were related to family functioning (r= 0.522, p? ,001), social support perceived by patients (r= 0.407, p? .001), and social support provided by family members (r= 0.368, p? .001); 28.6% of the variance in eating habits was explained by family functioning (?= .93) and social support provided by family members (?= 0.20). Conclusions: In the family dyads there was a relationship between the studied variables: patients and family members reported good family functioning, patients and family members perceived social support from their families. Both groups
also indicated having adequate eating habits. Family functioning and the social support provided by family
members explain the eating habits of patients with type 2 diabetes.