Eating behaviour and glycaemic control: A cross-sectional study in adolescents with diabetes

BACKGROUND: Achieving early glycemic control in adolescents with diabetes is associated with improved short- and long-term health outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between eating attitudes and glycemic control, as well as the factors associated with eating attitudes and glycemic control, in adolescents with diabetes. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 143 adolescents with diabetes, aged 10-19 years, who attended a research hospital between February and April 2024. The data were collected using a Descriptive Information Form, Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and an information form questioning the values of some metabolic variables. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 14 ± 2.3 years and 49.7% had diabetes between 1-5 years. The mean total score of the EAT scale was 16.62 ± 8.30. The mean score of the "Dieting" subscale of the EAT scale was 10.39 ± 5.58, the mean score of the "Bulimia food preoccupation" subscale was 2.33 ± 3.03 and the mean score of the "Oral Control" subscale was 3.79 ± 3.08. There was no significant difference between the mean EAT total score and glycemic control. CONCLUSIONS: The mean EAT-26 total score was below the commonly used cutoff score, and no significant association was found between EAT-26 scores and HbA1c. Differences in EAT-26 total and subscale scores were observed according to selected demographic and clinical characteristics, including BMI, treatment modality, and treatment adherence. These findings describe self-reported eating attitudes in the study sample and support the inclusion of eating-related assessment within the holistic care of adolescents with Type 1 DM.