Disturbed Eating Behavior and Eating Disorders in Preteen and Early Teenage Girls With Type 1 Diabetes

Disturbed Eating Behavior and Eating Disorders in Preteen and Early Teenage Girls With Type 1 Diabetes A case-controlled study Patricia Colton , MD, MSC 1 , Marion Olmsted , PHD 1 , Denis Daneman , MB, FRCPC 2 , Anne Rydall , MSC 1 and Gary Rodin , MD, FRCPC 1 1 Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada 2 Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Patricia Colton, Department of Psychiatry, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth St., Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada. E-mail: p.colton{at}utoronto.ca Abstract OBJECTIVE —To compare the prevalence of eating disturbances in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes to their nondiabetic peers. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —A cross-sectional, case-controlled study of 101 girls with type 1 diabetes, ages 9–14 years, and 303 age-matched, female nondiabetic control subjects was conducted. Participants completed a Children’s Eating Disorder Examination interview. Socioeconomic status, BMI, and diabetes-related variables were assessed. Groups were compared using χ 2 analyses. RESULTS —Binge eating; the use of intense, excessive exercise for weight control; the combination of two disturbed eating-related behaviors; and subthreshold eating disorders were all more common in girls with type 1 diabetes. Metabolic control was not related to eating behavior in this study population. CONCLUSIONS —Eating disturbances, though mostly mild, were significantly more common in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes. Screening and prevention programs for this high-risk group should begin in the preteen years. cEDE, Children’s Eating Disorder Examination HSC, Hospital for Sick Children ED-NOS, eating disorder not otherwise specified SES, socioeconomic status Footnotes A table elsewhere in this issue shows conventional and Système International (SI) units and conversion factors for many substances. Accepted April 11, 2004. Received January 12, 2004. DIABETES CARE