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Self‐reported history of overweight and its relationship to disordered eating in adolescent girls with Type 1 diabetes
Author(s) -
Markowitz J. T.,
Lowe M. R.,
Volkening L. K.,
Laffel L. M. B.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2009.02844.x
Subject(s) - overweight , disordered eating , medicine , obesity , population , diabetes mellitus , body mass index , eating disorders , clinical psychology , endocrinology , environmental health
Aims Increased body weight and disordered eating attitudes/behaviours are common in adolescent girls with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). Disordered eating increases risks for diabetes‐related complications. This study aimed to identify a rapid screening approach for disordered eating attitudes and behaviours in adolescent girls with T1D and to examine the relationship between disordered eating and body weight in this population. Methods Ninety adolescent girls, aged 12–19 years, provided a self‐assessment of weight status. Participants also completed questionnaires to assess attitudes/behaviours toward food and eating, appetitive responsiveness to the food environment, disinhibition in eating and weight history. Results Forty‐three per cent of participants reported a history of overweight. Compared with participants who reported never being overweight, those who reported ever being overweight were significantly older, scored significantly higher on all measures of disordered eating attitudes/behaviours ( P ≤ 0.009) and were 4.8 times more likely to be currently overweight or obese ( P < 0.001). Glycated haemoglobin (HbA 1c ) was similar between those who did and did not report ever being overweight. Conclusions Because of the ill‐health effects of disordered eating and the higher rate of overweight in adolescent girls with T1D, effective screening tools are warranted. The single question ‘Have you ever been overweight?’ may be sufficient as a first question to screen for those at high risk for disordered eating attitudes/behaviours and to provide early intervention and prevention.