Gender differences in disordered eating behaviors and body dissatisfaction among adolescents with type 1 diabetes: Results from diabetes MILES youth—Australia

Abstract

A large proportion of adolescents with type 1 diabetes, particularly females reported engaging in DEB. Similarly, high rates of body dissatisfaction were reported, though ideal body shape preferences differed by gender. Given the high levels of self-reported DEB and gender-based patterns of body dissatisfaction, future research needs to examine the effectiveness of routine screening of DEB and consider implementation of stepped care approaches.

Disordered eating behaviors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A cross‐sectional population‐based study in Italy

“…Therefore, further studies are required to investigate the reasons for the higher number of male adolescents with type 1 diabetes and DEB. DEB were also a typical feature of girls in our study, with a prevalence that was higher than some previous studies (Doyle et al, ; Saßmann et al, ; Wisting et al, ) but lower than the study reported by Araia et al ().…”

“…A common feature of patients with type 1 diabetes with DEB is skipping insulin shots as an attempt to lose weight (Araia et al, ; Baechle et al, ; De Paoli & Rogers, ; Saßmann et al, ). Since the definition of insulin restrictors was based both on reporting by the patients and on clinical evaluation, few of them classified as restrictors were found in our study.…”

“…Few studies on DEB have been population‐based with response rates of 42.5% (Wisting et al, ), 63% (Saßmann et al, ), 16% (Araia et al, ), and 42% (Baechle et al, ). The first three studies were based on the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey‐Revised (DEPS‐R), which is a diabetes‐specific 16‐item self‐report screening measure for disordered eating in youth with diabetes (Markowitz et al, ).…”

Bidirectional relationship between eating disorders and autoimmune diseases

“…Elevated body dissatisfaction has been reported in adolescent females with type 1 diabetes (Araia et al., ). Moreover, behaviors necessary for diabetes care such as carbohydrate monitoring, restriction and portion control, blood sugar control, and regular exercise have the potential to transition from healthful to pathological thereby increasing risk for EDs (Young‐Hyman & Davis, ).…”

Extreme Risk-Taking Behaviors in Patients With Eating Disorders

“…Malnutrition in AN may lead to hypoglycemia and increase insulin resistance, whereas insulin administration may lead to increase in weight due to increased metabolic efficiency, likely worsening the ED (27). The contrasting weight fluctuations associated with T1DM (reduction in weight) and insulin treatment (increase in weight) represent a considerable burden for girls with AN (28), increasing their body dissatisfaction, weight preoccupation and drive to lose weight (29). Hence, adolescents with comorbid AN and T1DM show considerable difficulties in handling their illness (30), and their compliance and adherence with their treatment is limited (31).…”