Anxiety and diet among elderly people suffering from diabetes mellitus in Banda Aceh, Indonesia: A correlational study

Abstract

Successfully managing diabetes over a long period is challenging and requires close monitoring of one’s diet and lifestyle. However, mental health issues such as anxiety can make it difficult to manage diabetes effectively, especially in older people. This study aims to highlight the psychological challenges older people with diabetes face, emphasizing the importance of mental health in managing chronic illnesses. It explores how anxiety affects the eating habits of older individuals with diabetes. The study used a quantitative method and a descriptive correlational research design. It involved older people with diabetes mellitus, with about 300 participants selected through purposive sampling based on certain criteria. The study measured anxiety levels using the GAS questionnaire, which is highly reliable (0.93), and dietary patterns were assessed with the UK-DDQ, which has a reliability of 0.765. The findings show that most participants were female (62%), in their early elderly years (89.7%), and had finished high school (67.7%). Regarding income, 39.3% earned less than Rp. 1,500,000. Over half lived with a partner (51%) and felt sadness and depression (64%). A minority had no family history of diabetes (38.3%), and most were cared for by their children (54.3%). Most participants had been living with diabetes for 2-5 years (54.1%) and did not smoke (85%). In terms of treatment, the majority used metformin (73.7%), and just over half did not use traditional medicine (51.3%). The study found a significant link between anxiety and diet in older adults with diabetes mellitus, with a p-value of 0.006 (alpha = 0.05). It suggests that healthcare providers should consider the whole well-being of older adults with diabetes, recognizing that anxiety can hinder their ability to follow a diet plan. Therefore, it is crucial to understand a patient’s mental, emotional, and physical health for effective treatment.