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Eating disorders common, persistent among young females with type 1 diabetes
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There is an increased risk for development of disturbed eating behavior or eating disorders among girls and women with type 1 diabetes, and the disorders were common and persistent, according to recent findings.
“This 14-year longitudinal study encompasses the peak age range of [disturbed eating behavior] and [eating disorder] onset,” the researchers wrote. “It adds to the existing longitudinal literature in this high-risk group by using up to seven assessments over the study period to calculate detailed estimates of the course of these disturbances during this crucial developmental period.”
Patricia A. Colton, MD, of the University Health Network and the University of Toronto, and colleagues evaluated 126 girls with type 1 diabetes who received care for diabetes at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto to determine the longitudinal course of disturbed eating behaviors and eating disorders.
Patricia A. Colton
A series of seven interview-based assessments of eating disorder behavior and psychopathology was used during a 14-year period. Assessments occurred at baseline (time 1; n = 126), and 1 year (time 2; n = 106), 2 years (time 3; n = 88), 3 years (time 4; n = 76), 5 years (time 5; n = 98), 8 to 10 years (time 6; n = 81) and 10 to 14 years (time 7; n = 71) after time 1. Mean age was 11.8 years at time 1 and 23.7 years at time 7.
Full-syndrome or subthreshold eating disorder were reported by 19.8% of participants at time 6 and included two cases of anorexia nervosa, two of eating disorder not otherwise specified, one of bulimia nervosa and 11 subthreshold eating disorders. This number was increased at time 7 with 40.8% with a full-syndrome or subthreshold eating disorder, including two cases of anorexia nervosa, one of bulimia nervosa, 20 of eating disorder not otherwise specified and six of subthreshold eating disorder.
The mean time between onset of disturbed eating behavior and remission was 6 years, whereas the mean time between onset of an eating disorder and remission was 4.3 years. The probability of disturbed eating behavior recurrence was 79%, which remained stabled until 6 years after remission, and the probability of eating disorder recurrence was 53%, which also remained stable until 6 years after remission.
“Disturbed behavior eating and eating disorders, which are associated with poorer metabolic control and increased risk of medical complications, (which) are common among girls and women with type 1 diabetes, can continue to emerge into adulthood, and can persist and recur over many years,” Colton told Endocrine Today. “Regular screening and mental health referral through adolescence and adulthood is recommended.”
According to the researchers, future studies should focus on developing and testing new strategies that address prevention and treatment of disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders in this vulnerable group. – by Amber Cox
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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