Gender and Nutrition Management in Type 2 Diabetes

Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
December 2005

Abstract

Purpose: The literature suggests that adherence to dietary recommendations may differ between women and men with type 2 diabetes due to family obligations and spousal support.
Methods: To assess division of household labour between spouses, retrospective chart review of 561 individuals who attended the Diabetes Education Centre at the Toronto Western Hospital was performed. Qualitative interviews were also performed with 12 married clients (six female and six male) and seven spouses of clients (three female, four male) to understand how the sharing of household labour influences adherence to nutrition guidelines in type 2 diabetes.
Results: Results indicate a significant gender difference in responsibility for meal preparation (χ2(3)=140.64, p<.001) and grocery shopping (χ2(3)=88.24, p<0.001), with women more often engaging in these household activities than men. Male clients are more likely to be actively supported by their wives in the form of meal preparation and verbal encouragement, while female clients are only passively supported by their husbands.
Conclusions: The results suggest that diabetes educators should recognize gender differences in household labour and support when counselling their clients to ensure that both men and women have the help they need to successfully manage their diabetes.

Résumé

Objectif: Selon les travaux publiés, l’observance des recommandations diététiques peut différer entre les hommes et les femmes souffrant du diabète de type 2 en raison des obligations familiales et de l’appui du conjoint.
Méthodes: Pour évaluer la répartition des tâches domestiques entre les conjoints, on a mené un examen rétrospectif des dossiers de 561 personnes qui avaient fréquenté le Diabetes Education Centre du Toronto Western Hospital. Des entrevues qualitatives ont également été menées auprès de 12 clients mariés (six femmes et six hommes) et de 7 conjoints de clients (trois femmes et quatre hommes) pour comprendre de quelle façon le partage des tâches ménagères influence l’observance des directives nutritionnelles relatives au diabète de type 2.
Résultats: Les résultats révèlent une différence significative liée au sexe pour la responsabilité de la préparation des repas (χ2(3)=140,64, p<0,001) et l’achat des aliments (χ2(3)=88,24, p<0,001), les femmes étant plus souvent engagées dans ces activités domestiques que les hommes. Les clients sont plus susceptibles d’être activement soutenus par leur épouse pour la préparation des repas et l’encouragement verbal, tandis que les clientes ne bénéficient que d’un appui passif de leur mari.
Conclusions: Les résultats incitent à penser que les éducateurs en matière de diabète devraient reconnaître ces différences entre les sexes quant aux tâches domestiques et à l’appui pour s’assurer que tant les hommes que les femmes reçoivent l’aide dont ils ont besoin pour que le traitement de leur diabète porte fruit.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 66Number 4December 2005
Pages: 215 - 220

History

Version of record online: 12 Février 2007

Authors

Affiliations

Mildred Wong, BA
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
Enza Gucciardi, MSc
University Health Network, Women’s Health Program, Toronto, ON
Louisa Li, RD, CDE
Diabetes Education Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON
Sherry L. Grace, PhD
University Health Network, Women’s Health Program, Toronto, ON

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