EATING DISORDERS IN YOUNG-WOMEN WITH TYPE-1 DIABETES - PREVALENCE, PROBLEMS AND PREVENTION

Disordered eating attitudes and behavior are common and persistent in adolescent and young adult females with type 1 diabetes, and are assoc iated with impaired metabolic control and a higher risk of diabetes-re lated complications. Specific aspects of diabetes and its management, e.g. weight gain associated with initiation of insulin treatment or im proved metabolic control, and dietary restraint, may trigger the body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness that accompany eating disturban ces. Health care providers should be aware of the possible association between eating disturbances and diabetes, and also of the types of be havior, particularly insulin omission for weight loss, that are common in these young women. Therapy will depend on the severity of the eati ng disturbance. Group psychoeducation, incorporating a nondeprivationa l approach to eating, may prove effective, especially in those with mi lder degrees of eating and weight psychopathology.