SCREENING FOR EATING DISORDERS IN DIABETES-MELLITUS

Eating disorders in diabetes mellitus may be associated with serious d iabetic complications. This study examines the prevalence of complicat ions and the usefulness of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) in screenin g for eating disorders in a group of insulin-dependent diabetic women. Coping strategies for dealing with diabetes are also investigated. In creased rates of diabetic complications and insulin manipulation were confirmed among subjects with eating disorders. The EAT alone had a po or predictive value for identifying eating disorders, but the presence of raised EAT score or insulin manipulation proved effective in ident ifying almost all cases of eating disorder. Subjects with high EAT sco res showed coping styles characterised by acceptance-resignation.