Enhanced carbohydrate craving in patients with poorly controlled Type2 diabetes mellitus

Aims Although hyperphagia is a common manifestation of diabetes mellitus, data on food craving in patients with diabetes are limited. This study compared food craving in patients with Type2 diabetes mellitus and a control group without diabetes. Methods A total of 210 subjects (105 with Type2 diabetes and 105 age-, sex- and BMI-matched control subjects) participated in two food craving surveys. The surveys were as follows: the General Food Cravings QuestionnaireTrait, which assesses the general trait of food craving; and the Food Cravings QuestionnaireState, which assesses the state of food craving or current desire for high-carbohydrate or high-fat foods in response to pictures of food. Follow-up Food Cravings QuestionnaireState surveys were administered approximately 3months later to the subjects with diabetes. Survey results were analysed to assess relationships between food craving and glycaemic control. Results The General Food Cravings QuestionnaireTrait scores in the group with Type2 diabetes and the control group were not significantly different. The group with Type2 diabetes had higher carbohydrate craving scores, but lower fat craving scores, than the control group. Carbohydrate craving scores in subjects with diabetes were positively correlated with HbA(1c.) In follow-up surveys, carbohydrate craving scores declined in patients with improved glycaemic control. Conclusions The surveys showed that patients with Type2 diabetes had higher carbohydrate cravings and lower fat cravings than the age-, sex- and BMI-matched control group. Carbohydrate craving in patients with diabetes was associated with poor glycaemic control.