Disturbed eating behaviors in Taiwanese adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a comparative study.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to (i) compare disturbed eating behaviors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) with a matched group of adolescents in Taiwan and (ii) examine the relationships of disturbed eating behaviors to body mass index (BMI) and metabolic control among adolescents with T1D.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted in southern Taiwan. Seventy-one adolescents with T1D (aged 10-22 yr; 41 females and 29 males) were matched to a group of non-diabetic adolescents. Adolescents completed two self-reported measures of eating behavior, the Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh and the Eating Attitude Test-26. Metabolic control was assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin A1c levels.


RESULTS
Both adolescent females and males with T1D had more symptoms of bulimia and bulimic behaviors than their non-diabetic peers. There were no group differences in the proportion of subthreshold eating disorders. BMI and metabolic control were significant factors predicting disturbed eating behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
Both adolescent females and males with T1D exhibited a higher level of disturbed eating behaviors than their non-diabetic adolescent counterparts. Preventive programs that address disturbed eating behaviors should be provided for adolescents with T1D, particularly for adolescents with a high BMI and poor metabolic control.
Alice Hsu
Yu-Yun
YY
Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan ROC. vuht12@mail.ncku.edu.tw
Chen
Bai-Hsium
BH
Huang
Mei-Chih
MC
Lin
Shio Jean
SJ
Lin
Mei-Feng
MF
D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002032:Bulimia / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D012016:Reference Values; D013624:Taiwan; D013851:Thinness / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin