Body Image Problems and Disordered Eating Behaviors in Italian Adolescents With and Without Type 1 Diabetes: An Examination With a Gender-Specific Body Image Measure

Abstract

To examine body image problems and their associations with disordered eating behavior in adolescents with type 1 diabetes and well-matched healthy peers. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, 183 adolescents with type 1 diabetes (13.02-18.05 years) were recruited from diabetes centers in southern Italy and compared to healthy peers matched for age and gender. Participants completed self-report measures of disordered eating behaviors (DEPS-r and EDI-3RF) and a gender-specific body image problem questionnaire (SATAQ-4R). Socio-demographic and clinical data (zBMI, HbA1c, and disease duration) were also collected. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were computed to determine the relative importance of diabetes variables and body image problems on participants' disordered eating behaviors after controlling for demographic variables. Results: Adolescents with type 1 diabetes showed diabetes-specific eating problems in 37.7% of cases and had more eating problem symptoms (assessed as drive for thinness and bulimia) than healthy peers. Male adolescents with type 1 diabetes did not display more body image problems (p > 0.05); females with type 1 diabetes compared to females in the control group were found to be more pressured by family (p = 0.025) but less by media (p = 0.022) to improve their appearance and attain a thin body. zBMI and body image problems contributed to a significant increase in disordered eating behavior risk both in male and female adolescents with diabetes and in healthy peers (zBMI 0.213 < β < 0.426, p < 0.05; body image 0.243 < β < 0.572, p < 0.05).

Disordered eating behaviors in youths with type 1 diabetes during COVID-19 lockdown: an exploratory study

“…In particular, it examined frequency levels of DEBs and related associated factors in a sample of children and adolescents with T1D compared with gender-and age-matched healthy control individuals. In contrast with previous evidence, both from research literature reviews [18,19,22,23] and from Italian samples [45][46][47][48][49][50], the present findings suggest that comparisons of T1D youths/controls do not indicate a significant difference in occurrence of DEBs. In fact, the frequency of critical scores indicating greater presence of DEB symptoms in younger children was higher in controls than in youths with T1D, although this difference was borderline significant.…”

“…In contrast with previous evidence, both from research literature reviews [ 18 , 19 , 22 , 23 ] and from Italian samples [ 45 – 50 ], the present findings suggest that comparisons of T1D youths/controls do not indicate a significant difference in occurrence of DEBs. In fact, the frequency of critical scores indicating greater presence of DEB symptoms in younger children was higher in controls than in youths with T1D, although this difference was borderline significant.…”

Impact of the Mass Media on Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, Psychological Well-Being and Physical Activity. Structural Equation Analysis

“…The principal aim was to establish a structural model to explain the associations between the above variables, as well as to carry out a multi-group analysis to identify relationships according to participants’ genders. Some research with similar aspects or features has been carried out by Afshin et al [ 38 ], Peter and Brosius, [ 39 ], Cranmer et al [ 40 ] and Troncone et al [ 41 ].…”

Self-management support of adolescents with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in the light of healthcare management

“…This regime is multifaceted and involves the adolescent's agreement to adopt specific diabetes-related behaviors, such as insulin replacement therapy and blood glucose monitoring throughout life, food management and physical exercise. Thus, 1DM management requires changes in their lifestyle, which often affect psychosocial well-being and satisfaction with body image and self-esteem, which can have a negative impact on the course and prognosis of the disease (3) . In a social environment linked to a decrease in parental involvement in activities for the care of pubertal children, self-efficacy perception is associated with an increase in self-care behavior.…”