Relationship between diet quality and fasting blood glucose levels in type II diabetes mellitus patients

Ferra Ayu Harjanti; Zuhria Ismawanti; Muflihah Isnawati; Dian Luthfita Prasetya Muninggar; Meirina Dwi Larasati; Titik Sapartinah

Ferra Ayu Harjanti Department of Nutrition, Health Polytechnic Ministry of Health Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia
Zuhria Ismawanti Department of Nutrition, Health Polytechnic Ministry of Health Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia
Muflihah Isnawati Department of Nutrition, Health Polytechnic Ministry of Health Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia
Dian Luthfita Prasetya Muninggar Department of Nutrition, Health Polytechnic Ministry of Health Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia
Meirina Dwi Larasati Department of Nutrition, Health Polytechnic Ministry of Health Malang, Malang, Indonesia
Titik Sapartinah Department of Midwifery, Health Polytechnic Ministry of Health Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia

Keywords: diabetes mellitus, blood glucose, diet quality

Abstract

Maintaining good diet quality is important for controlling blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). At Cepiring Community Health Center in 2025, 93.6% of Chronic Disease Management Program (CDMP) participants had impaired fasting blood glucose. Poor diet quality may contribute to higher fasting blood glucose levels. This study aims to examine the relationship between diet quality and fasting blood glucose levels in type 2 DM patients who are part of the Chronic Disease Management Program (CDMP) at Cepiring Community Health Center. This cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2025 and involved 38 respondents. Diet quality was assessed using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) based on a 24-hour dietary recall. Fasting blood glucose data were obtained from medical records. Spearman and Pearson correlation tests were used to analyze the relationship between diet quality and fasting blood glucose. The results showed that most respondents were aged 60 years or older (55.3%), female (86.8%), unemployed (44.7%), and had low education levels (47.4%). Most had low physical activity (76.3%), no family history of DM (63.2%), and obese (42.1%). The highest AHEI component scores were found in alcohol, grains, sodium, red meat, sweetened beverages, PUFA, nuts, omega-3, trans fats, vegetables, and fruits. Bivariate analysis showed that low fruit scores (p=0.003; r=-0.471) and low total AHEI scores (p=0.004; r=-0.453) were associated with higher fasting blood glucose levels. Improving diet quality, especially increasing fruit intake, may help control fasting blood glucose in patients with type 2 DM.