Prevalence of Eating Behaviors and Their Influence on Metabolic Control of Children With Type ۱ Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Since a comprehensive study of eating disorders in children with type ۱ diabetes in the Iranian population is necessary, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of eating behaviors and metabolic control status of children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus. Objectives: The present cross-sectional study aim to explore the prevalence of eating behaviors and their influence on metabolic control of children with type ۱ diabetes mellitus. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all children and adolescents ۶ to ۱۲ years old with diabetes were included. First, the prevalence of eating-related behaviors in participants was assessed and recorded. Then the recorded data were statistically analyzed. Results: The Mean±SD age of the study participants was ۸.۹۲±۱.۹۲۵ years. One hundred children with food approach scores above ۱۲.۲۹ had food-approach behaviors, and ۷۸ children with food avoidance scores above ۱۱.۸۵ were classified as having food avoidance behaviors. The relationships between food-approach behaviors and hemoglobin A۱C (HbA۱c) and insulin dose, body mass index (BMI), and lipid profile were significant (P<۰.۰۵). Nevertheless, the relationship between these variables and food avoidance behaviors was not significant (P>۰.۰۵). Conclusions: High BMI, high insulin dose, increased lipid levels, and high HbA۱c are associated with an increased eating tendency in children. Therefore, these children should be evaluated for disordered eating behaviors.