Jundishapur Journal of Health Sciences

Jundishapur Journal of Health Sciences

The Association of Mindfulness with Nutritional Status of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-sectional Study

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
Sanaz Bohlouli Sardroudi 1
Fatemeh Amirvand 2
Ali Tanasa 2
Hajiye Sheydaei 3
Vahideh Ebrahimzadeh-Attari* 4
1 Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
2 Student Research Committee, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran.
3 School of Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran.
4 1. Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran. 2. Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
10.22118/jjhs.2026.570920.1033
Abstract
Background: Mindfulness has emerged as a promising adjunctive approach in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), potentially affecting nutritional behaviors, glycemic control, and psychological well-being. This study explores the association of mindfulness with nutritional status among adults with T2DM.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 151 patients (86.8% female, mean age 60.4 ± 9.4 years) with T2DM who were recruited from healthcare centers in Maragheh, Iran from Oct 2023 to Mar 2024. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure (BP), and fasting blood sugar (FBS) were precisely assessed. We assessed participants’ nutritional status using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), appetite with the Comprehensive Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (CNAQ), and mindfulness through the Five-Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Additionally, we evaluated dietary intake using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Associations between mindfulness and nutritional and clinical parameters were analyzed using appropriate statistical analyses.

Findings: Most participants were overweight (mean of BMI: 29.5 ± 4.6 kg/m²) and had good nutritional status per MNA (80.1% normal, 19.9% at risk, none malnourished). The average FFMQ score was 135.8 ± 11.6, with 93.4% demonstrating good mindfulness. Appetite was sufficient in 58.9% of participants and moderate in 41.1%. Age had a significant reverse association with appetite. Mindfulness had no significant associations with DM duration, appetite, or nutritional status (P > 0.05). Similarly, weight, BMI, FBS, and blood pressure did not significantly correlate with mindfulness or appetite scores.
Conclusion: While the majority of T2DM patients exhibited good mindfulness and nutritional status, this study did not find any significant associations between mindfulness and nutritional status, FBS, and BP. Therefore, regarding limited and some inconsistent data in this area, future observational studies or clinical trials are needed to clarify whether mindfulness can exert sustained and clinically relevant effects on nutritional status and metabolic parameters in diabetes.
Keywords
Diabetes
Nutritional Assessment
Appetite
Mindfulness
Body weight
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Jundishapur Journal of Health Sciences
Volume 18, Issue 2
Issue in Progress
2026