Disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes: a case-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the prevalence of eating disturbances in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes to their nondiabetic peers.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, case-controlled study of 101 girls with type 1 diabetes, ages 9-14 years, and 303 age-matched, female nondiabetic control subjects was conducted. Participants completed a Children's Eating Disorder Examination interview. Socioeconomic status, BMI, and diabetes-related variables were assessed. Groups were compared using chi(2) analyses.


RESULTS
Binge eating; the use of intense, excessive exercise for weight control; the combination of two disturbed eating-related behaviors; and subthreshold eating disorders were all more common in girls with type 1 diabetes. Metabolic control was not related to eating behavior in this study population.


CONCLUSIONS
Eating disturbances, though mostly mild, were significantly more common in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes. Screening and prevention programs for this high-risk group should begin in the preteen years.
Colton
Patricia
P
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ontario Canada. p.colton@ utoronto.ca
Olmsted
Marion
M
Daneman
Denis
D
Rydall
Anne
A
Rodin
Gary
G
D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D012016:Reference Values