Self-reported rate of eating is significantly associated with body mass index in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Japan Diabetes Clinical Data Management Study Group (JDDM26)

• Rapid eating has been reported to be linked to higher BMI in normal subjects. • We examined this issue in patients with type 2 diabetes. • Rapid eating was associated with an elevated BMI. • Rapid eating was not associated with worsening of HbA1c. • Rapid eating was seen more frequently in our subjects than in normal subjects in other studies. We examined whether the rate of eating was associated with the body mass index and glycemic control status in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (50% women, mean±SD age 59.4±7.5years). Rapid eating was significantly associated with body mass index (p=0.047). The body mass index of those who reported eating quickly was 0.8kg/m2 higher than in individuals who reported eating at medium speed even after adjustment for known confounders. No significant association was observed between the rate of eating and HbA1c. Our findings suggest an association between self-reported rapid eating and an elevated body mass index in patients with type 2 diabetes.