Body composition in adolescent girls with type 1 diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To compare body composition in adolescent girls with Type 1 diabetes with healthy controls.


METHODS
In this population-based study, body composition was examined, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and skinfold measurements, in 18 adolescent post-menarcheal females, 16-19 years of age, with Type 1 diabetes since childhood in comparison to age-matched healthy control subjects.


RESULTS
Body mass index was 2.7 kg/m2 higher in diabetic patients (26.3 +/- 2.6 vs. 23.6 +/- 3.8; P < 0.05). The overweight consisted almost entirely of increased fat mass, as evaluated by both skinfold measurements and DXA. Bone mineral density did not differ between the two groups. In diabetic females, the distribution of the fat mass was increased in the upper part of the body. The fat distribution, expressed as the abdominal-to-leg ratio, was significantly correlated to glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (r = 0.69; P < 0.005), daily dosage of insulin expressed per kilogram body weight (r = 0.78; P < 0.0005) and total cholesterol (r = 0.60; P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The observed overweight in adolescent females with Type 1 diabetes is explained by an increased fat mass. Abdominal fat accumulation was associated with poor glycaemic control, increased need for insulin and elevated blood lipids.
Ingberg
C-M
CM
Department of Internal Medicine, Orebro University Hospital, and Uppsala University, Sweden.
Särnblad
S
S
Palmér
M
M
Schvarcz
E
E
Berne
C
C
Aman
J
J
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000503:physiopathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000503:physiopathology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D009765:Obesity; D012885:Skinfold Thickness
D002784:Cholesterol; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids