Frequency of Eating Disorders and Associated Factors in Type 1 Diabetic Adolescents

Objective: Examine the relationship between eating problems, emotional problems, behavioral attitudes about treatment, and adherence to diet in adolescents.Methods: The study was conducted with 132 participants, 60 of whom were in the healthy control group and 72 in the type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) group. Participants were assessed using Children's Depression inventory (CDI), Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED), and the Eating Attitude test (EAT) self-report scales and a data form.Results: Significant scores for CDI, SCARED, and EAT were higher in the T1DM group than in the control group (p<0.01). Patients with lower parent education, separated parents, irregular outpatient follow-up, history of diabetes complications and refusal of insulin injections, and hospitalization in the last 3 months had higher rates of have significant outcomes for CDI and SCARED (p<0.05). A significant correlation was found between the person who injected insulin (p<0.05) and the child's adherence to diet (p<0.01) and the EAT scores being significant. There was a positive correlation between CDI and EAT scores (p<0.01).Conclusion: Low parent education, increasing age, strict adherence to a diabetic diet, lack of responsibility for insulin therapy, and depressive symptoms have been associated with an increased risk of eating problems in adolescents. The clinical outcome will improve with identifying risky cases.