Patients with diabetes and obesity exhibit characteristics in eating and coping behaviors and personality traits

In patients with diabetes, obesity is an aggravating factor for glycemic control and its vascular complications. However, the psychological and behavioral characteristics of those patients with obesity have not been fully clarified. This study investigated eating and coping behavior, personality traits, quality of life (QOL), and depression status in patients with diabetes with or without obesity.

Questionnaires obtained from 567 patients with diabetes at Dokkyo Medical University were analyzed. Eating behavior, coping behavior, personality traits, QOL, and depression status were evaluated by the Eating Behavior Questionnaire, Brief COPE, Japanese Ten-Item Personality Inventory, EuroQol 5 Dimensions-5 Level, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, respectively. Participants were divided according to body mass index (BMI) into a non-obese group (BMI < 25), obese group (BMI 25–35), and high-degree obese group (BMI ≥ 35), and results were compared between groups.

On all items of the Eating Behavior Questionnaire, scores were higher in the obese and high-degree obese groups than non-obese group, indicating worse eating behavior. In coping behavior, significant intergroup differences were found in self-distraction, substance use, using emotional support, using instrumental support, and venting. As for personality traits, the obese group had significantly lower conscientiousness and higher emotional instability than the non-obese group. There was no significant difference in QOL or depression status.

These results suggest that there are some characteristics in eating and coping behaviors and some personality traits between obese and non-obese patients with diabetes. Treatment based on such characteristics may be useful for patients with diabetes and obesity.