Proper food intake is very important for patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) for controlling blood sugar levels and preventing complications. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the variables associated with the food consumption of patients with DM2, registered in Unidades de Saúde da Família (USF) of Ribeirão Preto city (São Paulo state, Brazil). This is a survey-type descriptive study, with a sample of 100 individuals who are registered in Unidades de Saúde da Família, of

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... irão Preto city. Food consumption was evaluated using the Food Frequency Questionnaire. The Odds Ratio was applied to verify association between the sociodemographic variables of access to a health service, and food consumption. The data were analyzed by statistical tests, with a type-I error of 5 % (95 % confidence interval, CI). Woman comprised 64 % of the population studied. The subjects averaged 66.7 years of age, were predominantly white (78 %), married (58 %), with an incomplete basic education (56 %). We found a significant correlation between macronutrient consumption and schooling level (OR: 0.29; CI: 0.11; 0.73), and having private health insurance (OR:0.13; IC:0.03; 0.51). Concerning the uptake of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, 64 %, 60 % and 81 % of the population, respectively, consumed properly; furthermore, 79 % of the subjects consume more than 20 g of fiber daily. The average total caloric value was 1500 Kcal, and the basal metabolic rate was 1,619.5 Kcal. Thus, it follows that the majority of the patients consume the recommended amount of macronutrients, and their behavior is closely related to a higher level of education and having private health insurance. Palavras -chave: Diabetes Mellitus. Food Consumption. Family Health. Resumo Palabras Clave: Diabetes Mellitus. Consumo de Alimentos. Saúde da Família. *Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Ribeirão preto/ SP,