MINNEAPOLIS (Ivanhoe Newswire) Aug. 13, 2002 -- A new study shows a serious problem with young diabetics using unhealthy ways to control their weight. The study finds up to 10 percent of girls with diabetes misuse their insulin to control their weight.
Unhealthy eating behaviors can have potentially harmful consequences for all adolescents and are associated with negative psychological well-being, nutritional inadequacy, future eating disorders and obesity. The consequences for type 1 diabetics are of particular concern because they can be associated with poor control of their disease and serious complications.
Researchers from the University of Minnesota studied the prevalence of these unhealthy behaviors among adolescents with type 1 diabetes. They also looked to see if the behavior was associated with weight perceptions, body mass index, family functioning and metabolic control.
Seventy adolescent females and 73 adolescent males with type 1 diabetes participated in the study. They all completed a questionnaire about their health and eating habits. Researchers also collected data on their BMI and blood levels from their medical records.
The study finds about 38 percent of the girls and 16 percent of the boys reported unhealthy weight control practices. Among the girls, 10 percent reported skipping insulin and 7 percent reported taking less insulin to control their weight. Only one of the adolescent boys reported doing either of these behaviors.
Researchers report unhealthy behavior was not associated with age, parental level of education, family structure or race/ethnicity. They say higher levels of weight dissatisfaction was associated with these unhealthy practices. Adolescents in less cohesive families were also at risk.
Researchers say, in light of potential serious consequences, it is important to understand who is at risk for these unhealthy practices. This study shows adolescents who have weight concerns and come from less cohesive families are at risk and special attention should be given to help them understand behaviors for better diabetes control.
SOURCE: Diabetes , 2002;25:1289-1296
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2002 Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Inc.