Diet-related undermining in older couples managing type 2 diabetes: Gender differences,reciprocity,and links to diet quality

Abstract

Diet quality plays an important role in managing diabetes, and spouses often influence each other’s dietary behaviors. Although much research has focused on health-promoting types of spousal involvement, less is known about health-detracting forms of involvement, such as diet-related undermining. In this cross-sectional study of 148 middle-aged and older adult couples (296 individuals; M_age = 65.95, SD = 7.28) in which at least one partner had type 2 diabetes, we examined the frequency, reciprocity, and dietary correlates of two types of diet-related undermining (tempting and disregarding) by both members. Findings revealed that the receipt and provision of undermining were relatively infrequent and moderately reciprocal between spouses. In addition, one’s own diet quality—but not their partner’s—predicted engagement in undermining, with no gender differences found. These results highlight the need for interventions to consider the interpersonal nature of dietary behavior change and maintenance of healthy dietary habits.