Disordered eating behaviours in adolescents with type 1 diabetes can be influenced by their weight at diagnosis and rapid weight gain subsequently

AIMS: To assess the prevalence and disease-related risk factors for disordered eating behaviours among adolescents with type 1 diabetes and also to search for risk factors at disease diagnosis that can predict the development of disordered eating behaviours.

METHODS: A retrospective observational study of 291 adolescents aged 15-19 years with type 1 diabetes who completed the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised (DEPS-R) as is routine in our diabetes clinic. The prevalence of disordered eating behaviours and risk factors for their development was assessed.

RESULTS: In 84 (28.9%) adolescents, disordered eating behaviours were found. Disordered eating behaviours were positively associated with female sex (β = 3.01 [SE = 0.97], p = 0.002), higher BMI-Z score (β = 2.08 [SE = 0.49], p < 0.001), higher HbA 1c (β = 0.19 [SE = 0.03], p < 0.001) and treatment with multiple daily injections of insulin (β = 2.19 [SE = 1.02], p = 0.032). At type 1 diabetes diagnosis, higher BMI-Z score (β = 1.54 [SE = 0.63], p = 0.016) for those diagnosed before age 13 years and increased weight gain at 3 months post-diagnosis (β = 0.88 [SE = 0.25], p = 0.001) in females diagnosed at age 13 years or older were found to be risk factors for disordered eating behaviours.

CONCLUSIONS: Disordered eating behaviours are common among adolescents with type 1 diabetes and are associated with various parameters, including BMI at diagnosis and the rate of weight gain at 3 months post-diagnosis in females. Our findings highlight the need for early preventive efforts for disordered eating behaviours and interventions to avoid late diabetes complications.