The effect on nutritional status and risk of diabulimia on anthropometric measurements and glycemic control in individuals aged 9–18 years with Type 1 DM

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of nutritional status and diabulimia risk on anthropometric measurements and glycemic control in individuals with T1DM. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2025 and May 2025 with 93 individuals (53 boys, 40 girls) between the ages of 9 and 18 years who were enrolled in the Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit of Turgut Özal Medical Center of Inönü University. Data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, Eating Problems in Diabetes Questionnaire-Revised (DEPS-R), Mediterranean Diet Quality Scale (KIDMED), Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (9-14 years) (PAQ-C), Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (14-18 years) (PAQ-A) and 24-Hour Retrospective Food Consumption Record Form. Biochemical data (HbA1c (%) and Plasma Glucose) were recorded and anthropometric measurements (Height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, neck circumference, upper middle arm circumference) were taken. Diabulimia risk was detected in 26.9% of the participants. The risk of diabulimia was found to be higher in individuals who were overweight according to Body Mass Index (BMI) than in individuals with normal BMI (p<0.05). It was determined that the eating behavior disorder scores of individuals with high school education were significantly higher than those of individuals with primary education (p<0.05). Male participants met 94.7% and female participants met 78.1% of their daily energy requirements. Individuals who skipped meals had a higher risk of diabulimia than those who did not skip meals (p<0.05). It was determined that the level of compliance with the Mediterranean diet was higher in individuals who exercised than in those who did not exercise, and similarly, the group with lower HbA1c values had better compliance with the Mediterranean diet (p<0.05). There was a negative correlation between DEPS-R score and KIDMED score and a positive correlation with age, daily insulin dose, body weight, BMI and waist circumference (p<0.05). In addition, there was a positive correlation between physical activity level and KIDMED score and a negative correlation with daily insulin dose, body weight, BMI and waist circumference (p<0.05). Physical activity levels of individuals with normal eating behavior were also found to be higher (p<0.05). In conclusion, dietary habits, physical activity level and eating behaviors are closely related to the risk of diabulimia in individuals with diabetes. Therefore, it is important to evaluate children and adolescents with T1DM with a multidimensional approach.