Objective To understand the sociological influencing factors of dietary management in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods A total of 217 patients with type 2 diabetes were investigated with the general information questionnaire, the Dietary Self-management Behavior Scale for Diabetic Patients and Dietary Management Resources Scale for Diabetes Mellitus. Results The dietary management scores of patients with type 2 diabetes averaged (3.97±1.55) points. Among the sociological factors, self-adjustment scored (2.83±0.98) points, family and friends (3.01±1.06) points, medical staff (2.90±1.02) points, community and neighborhoods (2.66±0.99) points, social groups (2.62±0.89) points, working environment (2.19±1.05) points, and media policy (2.74±1.07) points. Scores of patient-received sociological support were significantly lower than scores of subjective importance (P<0.01 for all). The results of stratified regression analysis showed that self-adjustment, support from family and friends, from medical staff, and from social groups could effectively explain 61.9% of the total variation in dietary management behavior. Conclusion Dietary management of patients with type 2 diabetes is not satisfactory, and the utilization of relevant sociological resources is not good. Medical staff should guide patients to make rational use of multiple sociological resources and improve their self-management ability.