Food as both comfort and risk: perspectives on healthy eating among Swedish women with prediabetes

Abstract

Background Prediabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are elevated but not high enough to meet the diagnostic criteria for diabetes. It often presents without symptoms but indicates a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other health issues. Without lifestyle changes, many individuals with prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes within a few years. Objective This study aimed to explore women's experiences of managing diet in daily life following a diagnosis of prediabetes. Methods This qualitative study involved interviews with 16 Swedish women aged 59–72 with prediabetes from the SCAPIS cohort, recruited via convenience sampling. Data were collected from May to August 2025 using open-ended questions. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results Women viewed food as both sustenance and emotional comfort, creating tension between health goals and emotional needs, complicating diet adherence. The analysis highlighted one main theme, “Imposed demands to take responsibility for one's own and others’ healthy eating habits,” and two additional themes, each with three subthemes. Conclusions The results highlight that food serves not only as sustenance but also as emotional comfort, creating tension between health goals and emotional needs, which hampers adherence to dietary advice. Women often have different eating patterns than men, emphasizing the need for person-centered, gender-sensitive approaches.