CHANGES IN MILK AND FAT CHOICES OF NONDIABETIC SIBLINGS OF NEWLY-DIAGNOSED DIABETIC CHILDREN - A 2-YEAR PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

The aim of this study was to examine how the diagnosis of insulin-depe ndent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in one child affects the consumption pa tterns of milk and fat among nondiabetic siblings. Food habits of 478 Finnish nondiabetic siblings (3-19 years) of children with IDDM (<14 y ears) were reported on a self-administered questionnaire at the time o f diagnosis and four times during a 2-year follow-up period and compar ed with the food habits of 548 nondiabetic population-based control su bjects (5-17 years). The use of high- and low-fat milk, butter on brea d, and butter and margarines in food preparation became less common, w hereas the use of skim milk, margarines on bread, and oils in food pre paration became more common in nondiabetic siblings after the diagnosi s of IDDM in the proband. Siblings in farmers' or low-income families used high-fat milk and butter more often than other siblings before th e diagnosis of the proband. Two years after the diagnosis, high-fat mi lk and butter were still more common in the diet of farmers' children and in the diet of siblings whose mother's education mas short (less t han or equal to 12 years). A recommended dietary change (from high- to low-fat dairy products, from butter to margarines and oils) was more common in the diet of urban children and of siblings whose mothers had a longer education (>12 years). As compared with population-based con trol subjects, the use of high- and low-fat milk, butter on bread, and butter and margarines in food preparation was less common and the use of skim milk, margarines on bread, and oils in food preparation more common among the nondiabetic siblings 2 years after the diagnosis of I DDM in the proband. The diagnosis of IDDM in a child has significant a nd beneficial effects on the choice of the type of milk and dietary fa t of his/her siblings. Farmers and families in lower socioeconomic gro ups need more attention to modify the diet after the diagnosis of IDDM in a child.