[Ethnography of the determinants of eating behaviour in diabetic schooolchildren in Yaounde]

Objective: Failure to comply with dietary recommendations exposes young insulin-dependent diabetics to a risk of acute complications of diabetes and is a subject of major concern for health care professionals, who expected young diabetics to effectively adopt the recommended eating behaviour based on the revised diet. However, the revised diet initiated by health care professionals in Cameroon has been shown to have a limited efficacy. The objective of this study was to elucidate the motivations underlying poor compliance young diabetics with dietary recommendations and which simultaneously determine their eating behaviour. Methods: The study was conducted in Yaoundé and was based on observations and biographical interviews with 13 students between the ages of 15 and 20 years with a diagnosis of diabetes for at least 6 months. Data were analysed by content analysis. Results: The results revealed negative perceptions of diabetes and treatment, encouraging young diabetics not to comply with the recommended eating and an influence of their social environment, i.e. school characteristics, peers and family, on their eating behaviour. Conclusion: The eating behaviour of young diabetics is determined equally by individual motivations related to their perceptions and social motivations. These motivations must be taken into account by health care professionals to promote better adherence of patients to dietary recommendations.