A team of sixth-year students from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Arabian Gulf University published a field study on dietary culture among people with diabetes in Bahrain in the international peer-reviewed journal "Frontiers in Nutrition", which is classified as a Q1 journal with an impact factor of 5.5.
The study aimed to assess the relationship between dietary culture, glycemic control, and obesity rates among 364 adults with type 2 diabetes at primary health care centers in the Kingdom of Bahrain, comprising 165 males and 199 females.
The study results showed that 51.2% of participants were obese, while 38.7% of the sample had very poor blood sugar control. Regarding their nutritional awareness, it was found that only 5.7% of participants were able to read and correctly interpret nutrition labels and facts. Higher educational attainment and greater nutritional literacy were also associated with better blood sugar control and a lower body mass index (BMI).
The use of nutritional ingredient lists also contributed to improved treatment outcomes. The results revealed a direct correlation between exposure to misinformation about nutrition and difficulty accessing reliable facts, on the one hand, and poor blood sugar control, on the other. In the conclusion of their study, the researchers emphasized the critical importance of strengthening targeted nutrition education programs and correcting nutritional misconceptions, as these are fundamental pillars for managing obesity and improving the quality of life for people with diabetes in Bahrain.
The research team consisted of Ahmed Al-Mansour, Sarah Al-Ansari, Mai Al-Madhahka, Fatima Al-Qoud, Mahia Hisham, Sheikha Al-Shamsi, Mohammed Buhaza, Mai Al-Ghatam, Alia Al-Hammadi, Hassan Al-Buainain, Fatima Al-Shanawi, and Maryam Al-Nafei. The study was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Jamil Ahmed, Associate Professor of Public Health in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, and Dr. Amer Al-Murabha, Assistant Professor of Measurement and Statistics in the same department.
This achievement aligns with Arabian Gulf University’s vision and strategic plan, which aim to promote scientific research, enhance the quality of its outputs, and empower students to actively participate in research projects and publish in peer-reviewed international journals—thereby contributing to the development of their research capabilities and linking academic knowledge to the health and community needs of the Arab Gulf states.