Exploring the barriers of adherence to dietary recommendations among patients with type 2 diabetes: A qualitative study in Iran.
Firoozeh Mostafavi-Darani, Fereshteh Zamani-Alavijeh, Behzad Mahaki and 1 others
PMID 33072357WHAT IT FOUND
People with type 2 diabetes described ignoring recommended diets to please guests, match family meals, hide their diagnosis, or cope with work fatigue.
Nurses can screen for these social barriers before giving dietary advice.
Key findings
01Five social barrier categories emerged: social priorities and rivalries, family food habits, poor social support, social impasses, and dominant food patterns.
02Patients prioritized pleasing guests or family needs over their own diabetes diet.
03Poor social support and fear of stigma were described as barriers.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was done in one region of Iran, so the themes may not fit other communities, health systems, or food cultures. It used a small purposeful sample of 33 participants, and the authors state the results are not truly representative of the entire population. It reports experiences and barriers, not measured adherence rates, blood sugar outcomes, or effects of any intervention. Some healthcare providers did not cooperate, and some patients were reluctant to participate. The authors note funding and timing limited a more comprehensive review.
Declared interests
The authors declared no competing interests. The supplied text does not state who funded the study.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that these barriers cause poor diabetes control or that fixing them will improve outcomes. The study explored patients' and providers' experiences and did not test an intervention.