A study of eating disorders revealed that problems occur in 1 out of 5 teenagers with diabetes. Such actions as skipping meals, skipping insulin for weight loss, overeating and inducing vomiting after eating are typical. Diabetic eating disorders have been linked to higher rates of glycated hemoglobin, depression, and even death.
Most studies of the association of diabetes and the development of eating disorders have focused on adult women with type 1 diabetes. Unfortunately, dysfunctional relationships with food and body perception often arise long before adulthood and include both sexes.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Angela Siu In Nip, a research fellow for pediatric endocrinology at the University of Washington, conducted a study to find out how often eating disorders occur in children with diabetes. She and her colleagues interviewed 2156 young participants with type 1 diabetes and 161 participants with type 2 diabetes. The questionnaire consisted of 16 questions; the average age of the survey participants is 17 years.
Researchers found that approximately 21% of participants with type 1 diabetes and 52% of participants with type 2 diabetes had an eating disorder.
The results showed that screening and treatment for diabetes-related eating disorders should begin as early as childhood and adolescence. Researchers found that approximately 21% of participants with type 1 diabetes and 52% of participants with type 2 diabetes had an eating disorder. The survey also showed that 20% of respondents with type 1 diabetes approved skipping insulin injections as a way to lose weight. 30% of respondents with type 1 diabetes showed some signs of overeating, although not all of these two groups registered a high enough score in the survey to indicate a diabetic eating disorder.
It is important to emphasize that those guys who showed a diabetic eating disorder had higher glycated hemoglobin. They also reported a higher level of depression and a lower level of quality of life.
There is a connection between the highest mortality rate and an affirmative answer to the question: “Have you ever manipulated your insulin to lose weight?”
A frightening fact was revealed by another study. The major project, “Searching for Diabetes in a Youth Research Group,” showed a connection between the highest mortality rate and an affirmative answer to the question: “Have you ever manipulated your insulin to lose weight?”
Dr. Nip encouraged the medical community to actively screen for diabetes-related eating disorders in adolescents. The parents of children with diabetes, who should be more alert to the nutrition and self-perception of their children, also play an important role in this matter. If necessary, you should contact a professional psychologist for help.