Comparison of food addiction between adolescents diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes mellitus and healthy adolescents

Proper nutrition plans tailored specifically for adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) and their accurate implementation by parents or caregivers play a crucial role in disease management. This study aims to identify the presence of food addiction in adolescents diagnosed with T1DM by comparing them with healthy peers of the same age group. Designed as an observational and cross-sectional study, data were collected between April 2022 and April 2023 from 54 adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes who had been followed for at least one year, and 51 healthy adolescents, all aged between 12 and 18 years, at Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital. The data collection tools included a researcher-developed application form, the YALE Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), Beck Depression Inventory, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-1 and STAI-2). According to the YFAS, the rate of clinically significant food addiction was found to be 13% in the patient group and 2% in the control group, it was not found to be statistically significant (p > 0.05). Among participants with food addiction, statistically significant higher levels of depression, state anxiety, and trait anxiety were observed (p<0.05). These findings suggest that adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes are at a higher risk of food addiction compared to their healthy peers. Therefore, it is essential to provide more comprehensive education to both patients and their caregivers regarding the importance of adhering to balanced and individualized nutrition plans in the context of diabetes management.