Disordered eating behaviours in adolescents with type 1 diabetes can be influenced by their weight at diagnosis and rapid weight gain subsequently

AbstractAimsTo assess the prevalence and disease‐related risk factors for disordered eating behaviours among adolescents with type 1 diabetes and also to search for risk factors at disease diagnosis that can predict the development of disordered eating behaviours.MethodsA retrospective observational study of 291 adolescents aged 15–19 years with type 1 diabetes who completed the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey‐Revised (DEPS‐R) as is routine in our diabetes clinic. The prevalence of disordered eating behaviours and risk factors for their development was assessed.ResultsIn 84 (28.9%) adolescents, disordered eating behaviours were found. Disordered eating behaviours were positively associated with female sex (β = 3.01 [SE = 0.97], p = 0.002), higher BMI‐Z score (β = 2.08 [SE = 0.49], p < 0.001), higher HbA1c (β = 0.19 [SE = 0.03], p < 0.001) and treatment with multiple daily injections of insulin (β = 2.19 [SE = 1.02], p = 0.032). At type 1 diabetes diagnosis, higher BMI‐Z score (β = 1.54 [SE = 0.63], p = 0.016) for those diagnosed before age 13 years and increased weight gain at 3 months post‐diagnosis (β = 0.88 [SE = 0.25], p = 0.001) in females diagnosed at age 13 years or older were found to be risk factors for disordered eating behaviours.ConclusionsDisordered eating behaviours are common among adolescents with type 1 diabetes and are associated with various parameters, including BMI at diagnosis and the rate of weight gain at 3 months post‐diagnosis in females. Our findings highlight the need for early preventive efforts for disordered eating behaviours and interventions to avoid late diabetes complications.