Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Risk behaviors for eating disorder in adolescents and adults with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the frequency of risk behaviors for eating disorder (ED) in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and their association with gender, nutritional status, variables related to T1D, and body satisfaction.

Method:

189 individuals with T1D (12-56 years old) answered the Bulimic Investigation Test (BITE), the Eating Attitude Test (EAT), the Binge Eating Scale (BES), Stunkard's Figure Rating Scale, and questions regarding control of T1D. Association between ED risk behaviors and the selected variables was assessed with the chi-square test and Student's t-test; factors that influenced the risk of ED were identified by means of logistic regression.

Results:

Of the patients with T1D, 58.7% were at risk of ED (45, 40, and 16% according to the EAT, BITE and BES, respectively). There were significant differences between groups with and without risk for ED related to BMI (p = 0.009), gender (p = 0.001), insulin omission (p = 0.003), use of the carbohydrate counting method (p = 0.019), and body dissatisfaction (p = 0.001). The risk of ED was nine times higher in patients who reduced or omitted insulin (p = 0.036).

Conclusions:

Patients with T1D demonstrated a high frequency of body dissatisfaction and ED risk behaviors; the omission or reduction of insulin was an important risk factor.

Eating disorders; nutrition; other disorders; other specialties; women


Introduction

Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have a higher frequency of eating disorders (ED) and risk behaviors for ED than the general population.11. Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, Toporoff E, Cassuto N, Resnick MD, Blum RW. Psychosocial predictors of binge eating and purging behaviors among adolescents with and without diabetes mellitus. J Adolesc Health. 1996;19:289-96.

2. Jones JM, Lawson ML, Daneman D, Olmsted MP, Rodin G. Eating disorders in adolescent females with and without type 1 diabetes: cross sectional study. BMJ. 2000;320:1563-6.

3. Colton PA, Olmsted MP, Daneman D, Rydall AC, Rodin GM. Five-year prevalence and persistence of disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders in girls with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2007;30:2861-2.
-44. Smith FM, Latchford GJ, Hall RM, Dickson RA. Do chronic medical conditions increase the risk of eating disorder? A cross-sectional investigation of eating pathology in adolescent females with scoliosis and diabetes. J Adolesc Health. 2008;42:58-63. The effects of a chronic medical condition on body image and self-esteem, the restrictive nature of the diet for controlling T1D and the overweight associated with insulin use are among the mechanisms that have been proposed to explain the association between eating problems and T1D.55. Colton P, Rodin G, Bergenstal R. Parkin C. Eating disorders and diabetes: introduction and overview. Diabetes Spectr. 2009;22:138-42.

T1D is a chronic condition characterized by partial or total damage of pancreatic beta cells, resulting in progressive inability to synthesize insulin - the hormone responsible for glucose transport.66. Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes (SBD). Diretrizes da Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes 2009. 3rd ed. Itapevi: AC Farmacêutica; 2009. The objective of treatment is to control glucose levels and ensure the energy supply of cells. T1D can be controlled with diet, exercise and use of short, intermediate or long-acting insulin - the choice depends on individual characteristics.66. Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes (SBD). Diretrizes da Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes 2009. 3rd ed. Itapevi: AC Farmacêutica; 2009.

EDs are characterized as serious problems related to eating and body image; the main forms are anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), eating disorders not otherwise specified, and binge eating disorder (BED).77. American Psychiatric Association (APA). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 4th ed. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000.,88. Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). Classificação de transtornos mentais e de comportamento da CID-10: descrições clínicas e diretrizes diagnósticas. 1st ed. Porto Alegre: Artmed; 1993.

In patients with T1D, particularly adolescents, certain typical ED behaviors such as binge eating, purging and restrictive and excessive diets are frequent.1. Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, Toporoff E, Cassuto N, Resnick MD, Blum RW. Psychosocial predictors of binge eating and purging behaviors among adolescents with and without diabetes mellitus. J Adolesc Health. 1996;19:289-96.1,22. Jones JM, Lawson ML, Daneman D, Olmsted MP, Rodin G. Eating disorders in adolescent females with and without type 1 diabetes: cross sectional study. BMJ. 2000;320:1563-6. Insulin omission is an additional purging method employed by insulin-dependent individuals.55. Colton P, Rodin G, Bergenstal R. Parkin C. Eating disorders and diabetes: introduction and overview. Diabetes Spectr. 2009;22:138-42. Insulin restriction causes glucose to build up in the bloodstream instead of being used as the cells' energy supply; it causes hyperglycemia, which leads to excretion of glucose in urine and, consequently, weight loss. This purging method has been cited among the diagnostic criteria for BN in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).88. Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). Classificação de transtornos mentais e de comportamento da CID-10: descrições clínicas e diretrizes diagnósticas. 1st ed. Porto Alegre: Artmed; 1993.

The coexistence of ED and diabetes has also been named diabulimia, which can be defined as either the omission or use of less insulin than necessary for controlling T1D in order to lose weight.99. Pereira RF, Alvarenga M, Pieper C, Kotait MS. Transtornos alimentares e diabetes mellitus. In: Alvarenga M, Scagliusi FB, Philippi ST. Nutrição e transtornos alimentares: avaliação e tratamento. Barueri: Manole; 2010. p. 117-32. However, the use of the term diabulimia is controversial; first, because it was coined by the mass media, and second, because it does not include other EDs common in T1D patients and suggests that these problems are different in people with T1D and in those without this condition. The terms ED-T1D and ED-T2D have been recently proposed to highlight the association of EDs with T1D and type 2 diabetes respectively.55. Colton P, Rodin G, Bergenstal R. Parkin C. Eating disorders and diabetes: introduction and overview. Diabetes Spectr. 2009;22:138-42.,99. Pereira RF, Alvarenga M, Pieper C, Kotait MS. Transtornos alimentares e diabetes mellitus. In: Alvarenga M, Scagliusi FB, Philippi ST. Nutrição e transtornos alimentares: avaliação e tratamento. Barueri: Manole; 2010. p. 117-32.

An association of ED with T1D may be much more hazardous than an ED alone in that it involves a serious lack of metabolic control, higher mortality rates and higher risk of complications, such as diabetic retinopathy.1010. Rydall AC, Rodin GM, Olmsted MP, Devenyi RG, Daneman D. Disordered eating behavior and microvascular complications in young women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med. 1997;336:1849-54.,1111. Takii M, Uchigata Y, Tokunaga S, Amemiya N, Kinukawa N, Nozaki T, et al. The duration of severe insulin omission is the factor most closely associated with the microvascular complications of type 1 diabetic females with clinical eating disorders. Int J Eat Disord. 2008;41:259-64.

Studies on this subject in Brazil have focused on the presence of BED in T2D1212. Papelbaum M, Appolinário JC, Moreira RO, Ellinger VC, Kupfer R, Coutinho WF. Prevalence of eating disorders and psychiatric comorbidity in a clinical sample of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Rev Bras Psiquiatr. 2005;27:135-8. and have also included reviews1313. Azevedo AP, Papelbaum M, D'Elia F. [Diabetes and eating disorders: a high risk association]. Rev Bras Psiquiatr. 2002;24:77-80.,1414. Papelbaum M, Moreira RO, Coutinho W, Ellinger VCM, Sichieri R, Coutinho E, Zagury L, et al. [Diabetes mellitus and eating disorders: a systematic review]. J Bras Psiquiatr. 2004;53:163-73. and case studies.1515. Papelbaum M, Appolinário JC, Moreira RO, Duchesne M, Kupfer R, Coutinho W. [Distribution of eating disorders in subjects with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a description of two cases]. Rev Psiquiatr Rio Gd Sul. 2007;27:71-4. Due to the importance and complexity of both ED and T1D, as well as the lack of research on Brazilian samples of patients with T1D and ED, the objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of risk behaviors for ED in adolescents and adults with T1D and to investigate possible associations of these behaviors with gender, nutritional status, variables related to T1D, and body satisfaction.

Method

Design and setting

Cross-sectional study with prospective data collection. The research was carried out at three institutions specializing in diabetes care in the city of São Paulo: the diabetes clinic of the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HC-FMUSP), the Diabetes League of HC-FMUSP, and the Juvenile Diabetes Association. In the city of Santos, state of São Paulo, the Northwest and Central Zone units of the AMBESP (outpatient specialty clinics) were involved.

Participants

Male and female patients diagnosed with T1D (by means of oral glucose tolerance test and/or fasting plasma glucose) from institutions specializing in the treatment of diabetes in São Paulo and Santos were invited to participate in the study, which took place between August 2008 and January 2009.

The inclusion criteria were: diagnosis of T1D established at least one year prior to enrollment; age between 12 and 59 years; literacy; current treatment at one of the involved diabetes services; and provision of written informed consent for participation in the study. The exclusion criteria were pregnancy, breastfeeding, and kidney problems due to T1D.

Measures

Risk behaviors for ED were evaluated using three self-administered questionnaires that have been translated/validated for Portuguese:

  • The Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26),1616. Bighetti F. [Translation and validation of the Eating Attitude Test (EAT 26) in female adolescents in Ribeirão Preto city - SP] [dissertation]. São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo; 2003. which is used to track ED symptoms, particularly restrictive and dieting behaviors;

  • The Bulimic Investigation Test of Edinburgh (BITE),1717. Cordás TA, Hochgraf PB. [The “BITE”: tool for evaluation of bulimia nervosa - portuguese version]. J Bras Psiquiatr. 1993;42:141-4. which evaluates BN symptoms, such as overeating and compensation;

  • The Binge Eating Scale (BES),1818. Freitas SR, Lopes CS, Coutinho W, Appolinario JC. [Translation and adaptation into Portuguese of the Binge-Eating Scale]. Rev Bras Psiquiatr. 2001;23:215-20. which evaluates binge habits.

An individual is considered to have risk behavior for ED upon reaching the following scores: ≥ 21 in the EAT-26, ≥ 10 in the BITE, and ≥ 17 in the BES.1616. Bighetti F. [Translation and validation of the Eating Attitude Test (EAT 26) in female adolescents in Ribeirão Preto city - SP] [dissertation]. São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo; 2003.

17. Cordás TA, Hochgraf PB. [The “BITE”: tool for evaluation of bulimia nervosa - portuguese version]. J Bras Psiquiatr. 1993;42:141-4.
-1818. Freitas SR, Lopes CS, Coutinho W, Appolinario JC. [Translation and adaptation into Portuguese of the Binge-Eating Scale]. Rev Bras Psiquiatr. 2001;23:215-20. In the present study, participants with a positive score on any of the above-mentioned instruments were classified as having risk behavior for ED.

Satisfaction with body image was evaluated using the outline-based Stunkard's Figure Rating Scale,1919. Stunkard AJ, Sorensen TI, Schulsinger F. Use of the Danish Adoption Register for the study of obesity and thinness. Res Publ Assoc Res Nerv Ment Dis. 1983;60:115-20. in which the measurement of body satisfaction is based on the difference between the number respondents choose to describe their current figure and that of their desired figure.

The patients also answered socio-demographic questions and questions related to T1D, such as time elapsed since their diabetes diagnosis, whether they use fast-acting or long-acting insulin, whether they use the carbohydrate counting method, and whether they restrict or omit insulin in order to lose weight.

Nutritional status was evaluated using the body mass index (BMI) and classified according to World Health Organization categories for adults and BMI percentiles for age for adolescents.2020. World Health Organization. Global database on body mass index. [Internet] An interactive surveillance tool for monitoring nutrition transition. 2006 [cited 2011 Nov 14]. http://apps.who.int/bmi/index.jsp
http://apps.who.int/bmi/index.jsp...
,2121. Onis M, Onyango AW, Borghi E, Siyam A, Nishida C, Siekmann J. Development of a WHO growth reference for school-aged children and adolescents. Bull World Health Organ. 2007;85:660-7.

Statistical analysis

All analyses were carried out using SPSS 14.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The significance level was set at 5% for all analyses.

The sample was divided into two groups: those with and those without ED risk. These two groups were compared according to socio-demographic variables, nutritional status, and variables related to T1D by means of Student's t-test and the chi-square test (or Fisher's exact test, as appropriate).

To evaluate differences in body satisfaction, the proportion of individuals whose desired figures were thinner than their current figures were compared between the ED risk and the no ED risk groups using the chi-square test.

The combined interference of the ED risk variables was evaluated using forward stepwise logistic regression, where only the variables showing a statistically significant difference on univariate analysis were entered in the final model.

All patients provided written informed consent and the study was approved by the USP School of Public Health Research Ethics Committee (Of. COEP/169/08) and by the Ethics Commmittee of the Municipal Department of Health of the city of Santos (COFORM/DEPRO/SMS).

Results

Of the 189 patients who participated in the study, 75% (n=141) were female, and 72.5% (n=137) were between 20 and 56 years old. On average, the population studied was in adulthood and had a normal BMI. They were mainly adolescents when first diagnosed with T1D and, at the time of data collection, reported having had diabetes for an average of approximately 13 years. Group characteristics are presented in Table 1.

Table 1
Clinical characteristics of the participants with type 1 diabetes mellitus (n=189)

Regarding patient nutritional status, Table 2 demonstrates that the majority had normal weight and approximately one-third were overweight.

Table 2
Distribution percentage of the patients (n=189) with type 1 diabetes according to nutritional status classification, gender, and stage of life, n (%)

Nearly all participants (97%) used injectable insulin (various brands), whether long-acting or not; a small proportion (2.6%) used an infusion pump.

A total of 51.3% (n=97) of the patients reported using the carbohydrate counting method. Sixteen females (10 of whom were overweight) reported omitting or reducing insulin doses in order to lose weight.

The responses to the risk evaluation questionnaires indicated the following percentages of patients at risk for ED using cutoff scores: 45% according to the EAT, 40% according to the BITE (14.3% presented clinically significant behavior on the severity scale) and 16% according to the BES. The number of instruments on which patients had positive scores for ED was also evaluated; it was found that 41.3% (n=78) of the sample presented ED risk on any of the tests and 58.7% (n=111) were classified as being at ED risk. A total of 28.05% (n=53) scored positively on only one of the tests, 19.05% (n=36) did so on two tests and 11.60% (n=22) on all three tests.

Female patients in both life stages (adolescence and adulthood) presented a higher frequency of ED risk on the EAT and BITE (symptom) scales, but not on the BITE severity and BES scales. EAT scores ≥ 21 were more common in adults than in adolescents (Table 3).

Table 3
Frequency of positive scores and percentages on the Eating Attitude Test (EAT), Binge Eating Scale (BES), and Bulimic Investigation Test of Edinburgh (BITE) according to patient gender and stage of life (n=189), n (%)

Table 4 presents associations between ED and female gender, BMI, overweight, non-use of glargine insulin and use of NPH insulin, reduction or omission of insulin for weight loss, non-use of the carbohydrate counting method, and body dissatisfaction in the two groups.

Table 4
Qualitative variables according to the risk or non-risk of eating disorders among patients with type 1 diabetes (n=189)

Regarding body satisfaction, 76.2% (n=144) of the individuals were dissatisfied with their bodies, with 31 individuals wanting to be heavier and 113 individuals wanting to be thinner. Overweight and obese patients answered more frequently that they wanted to be thinner than those with normal weight (p < 0.001).

Body dissatisfaction was higher among females than males (77.8 vs. 22.2%; p < 0.001). Comparing adults and adolescents, there were no differences among groups wanting to be thinner, the same or heavier (p = 0.755).

Besides the fact that body dissatisfaction was higher among those at risk of ED, patients who reported reducing or omitting insulin more frequently reported wanting a thinner figure (p < 0.001).

Logistic regression analysis revealed a 4.18 times greter chance of ED risk (p < 0.001) in women than in men. Furthermore, the risk of ED among users of NPH insulin was 2.4 times higher than among non-users (p = 0.003). Moreover, those who reduced or omitted insulin to lose weight had a 9.34 times higher ED risk (p = 0.036) than those who did not.

Discussion

As far as could be ascertained, this is the first study to investigate the risk of ED development in a sample of Brazilian patients with T1D. The magnitude of risk behavior for ED was clearly evident in this population, and was associated with BMI, gender, use of the carbohydrate counting method, body dissatisfaction, and insulin omission (the variable which showed the greatest association with odds of ED risk).

ED risk behavior in the study population compared with the international literature

The total of patients classified with ED risk, because they had a positive score for ED on at least one of the scales used, was 58.7%. The methodology of this study, which considered a positive score on any of the tests as a risk for ED, differs from that of other studies, which prevents a close comparison between the results.

Due to possible bias associated with EAT items (see limitations section), the 45% risk found using this instrument may be an overestimate. It bears stressing that, as a screening tool (as are BITE and BES), the EAT shows higher risk rates than diagnostic scales. The results of the BITE were similar to those found on the EAT (40 vs. 45%), and this instrument is more specific when evaluating overeating and compensatory behaviors. The lowest positive value (16%) for risk behavior was found in the BES, which essentially is an evaluation of binge behaviors.

It can therefore be inferred that the most frequently detected behavior among these patients is restriction/dieting, which is essentially the instruction given them by clinicians. The second most frequently found behavior was compensatory or purgative behavior, which indicates problems with eating and controlling T1D. The third was binge eating.

There was a higher proportion of females among those with the highest scores: adult and adolescent women scored higher on the EAT as well as on the BITE (symptoms) than men. This result is congruent with the higher prevalence of ED and risk behavior generally found among females, regardless of clinical comorbidity.2222. Kjelsås E, Bjørnstrøm C, Götestam KG. Prevalence of eating disorders in female and male adolescents (14-15 years). Eat Behav. 2004;5:13-25.,2323. Haines J, Kleinman KP, Rifas-Shiman SL, Field AE, Austin SB. Examination of shared risk and protective factors for overweight and disordered eating among adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2010;164:336-43.

Even though it is difficult to compare data due to methodological differences, the risk behavior values found in the present study are generally higher than those in studies from other countries. Some of these studies used diagnosis scales - such as the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE), Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), and Diagnostic Survey for Eating Disorders (DSED) - instead of screening tools (EAT, BITE, BES), and lower risk rates would be expected.

For example, when evaluating adolescents with T1D, Smith et al.44. Smith FM, Latchford GJ, Hall RM, Dickson RA. Do chronic medical conditions increase the risk of eating disorder? A cross-sectional investigation of eating pathology in adolescent females with scoliosis and diabetes. J Adolesc Health. 2008;42:58-63. found that 27.5% had BN or BED according to the EDE. Grylli et al.2424. Grylli V, Wagner G, Hafferl-Gattermayer A, Schober E, Karwautz A. Disturbed eating attitudes, coping styles, and subjective quality of life in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. J Psychosom Res. 2005;59:65-72. observed that 11.5% of the girls in their sample evinced diagnostic criteria for ED according to the EAT, EDE and EDI. Neumark-Sztainer et al.,11. Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, Toporoff E, Cassuto N, Resnick MD, Blum RW. Psychosocial predictors of binge eating and purging behaviors among adolescents with and without diabetes mellitus. J Adolesc Health. 1996;19:289-96. using their own questionnaire, found that 35% of girls with T1D had binge behavior and 27% had purging behavior, whereas only 20 and 18% of boys with T1D had binge and purging behavior, respectively.

Jones et al.,22. Jones JM, Lawson ML, Daneman D, Olmsted MP, Rodin G. Eating disorders in adolescent females with and without type 1 diabetes: cross sectional study. BMJ. 2000;320:1563-6. using the EAT and DSED, found that 10% of the adolescents with T1D in their sample had ED and 14% had subclinical cases. With the same instrument, Rydall et al.1010. Rydall AC, Rodin GM, Olmsted MP, Devenyi RG, Daneman D. Disordered eating behavior and microvascular complications in young women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med. 1997;336:1849-54. found that 29% of girls with T1D demonstrated ED behavior. In a study by Colton et al.,2525. Colton P, Olmsted M, Daneman D, Rydall A, Rodin G. Disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes: a case-controlled study. Diabetes Care. 2004;27:1654-9. the results of the EDE indicated that 3% of adolescents with T1D were binge eaters, 2% omitted insulin and 10% used physical activity for weight control; moreover, they found that 8% of their sample presented a combination of two ED risk behaviors.

Several studies comparing diabetic and non-diabetic populations have observed more inappropriate eating behavior among diabetics than controls.11. Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, Toporoff E, Cassuto N, Resnick MD, Blum RW. Psychosocial predictors of binge eating and purging behaviors among adolescents with and without diabetes mellitus. J Adolesc Health. 1996;19:289-96.,22. Jones JM, Lawson ML, Daneman D, Olmsted MP, Rodin G. Eating disorders in adolescent females with and without type 1 diabetes: cross sectional study. BMJ. 2000;320:1563-6.,2525. Colton P, Olmsted M, Daneman D, Rydall A, Rodin G. Disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes: a case-controlled study. Diabetes Care. 2004;27:1654-9.

26. García-Reyna NI, Gussinyer S, Raich RM, Gussinyer M, Tomès J, Carrascosa A. [Eating disorders in young adolescents with type 1 diabetes]. Med Clin (Barc). 2004;122:690-2.
-2727. Markowitz JT, Butler DA, Volkening LK, Antisdel JE, Anderson BJ, Laffel LM. Brief screening tool for disordered eating in diabetes: internal consistency and external validity in a contemporary sample of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2010;33:495-500. Other studies involving individuals with T1D, however, have not found such differences.2828. Robertson P, Rosenvinge JH. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a risk factor in anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa? An empirical study of 116 women. J Psychosom Res. 1990;34:535-41.,2929. Ackard DM, Vik N, Neumark-Sztainer D, Schmitz KH, Hannan P, Jacobs DR Jr. Disordered eating and body dissatisfaction in adolescents with type 1 diabetes and a population-based comparison sample: comparative prevalence and clinical implications. Pediatr Diabetes. 2008;28:312-9.

Association of the study variables with risk behavior for ED

Comparison between the ED risk and no ED risk groups revealed that the risk group included more women, more underweight and overweight individuals, fewer users of the carbohydrate counting method, more individuals who reduce or omit insulin, greater differences in insulin type, and a greater number of individuals dissatisfied with their bodies.

The association with female gender, overweight/obesity, insulin reduction or omission, and body dissatisfaction has been previously discussed by other authors.3030. Neumark-Sztainer D, Patterson J, Mellin A, Ackard DM, Utter J, Story M, et al. Weight control practices and disordered eating behaviors among adolescent females and males with type 1 diabetes: associations with sociodemographics, weight concerns, familial factors, and metabolic outcomes. Diabetes Care. 2002;25:1289-96.

Overweight individuals suffer from greater body dissatisfaction, which is a known risk factor for inappropriate weight control practices and, therefore, a risk factor for ED.3131. Alvarenga MS, Philippi ST, Lourenço BH, Sato PM, Scagliusi FB. [Body image dissatisfaction in female Brazilian university students]. J Bras Psiquiatr. 2010;59:44-51. Thus, the presence of more patients dissatisfied with their body image in the ED risk group is understandable. The relation between dissatisfaction with body image and disordered eating behavior among girls with T1D has already been confirmed in another study.3232. Kichler JC, Foster C, Opipari-Arrigan L. The relationship between negative comunication and body image dissatisfaction in adolescent females with type 1 diabetes mellitus. J Health Psychol. 2008;13:336-47. Neumark-Sztainer et al.,3030. Neumark-Sztainer D, Patterson J, Mellin A, Ackard DM, Utter J, Story M, et al. Weight control practices and disordered eating behaviors among adolescent females and males with type 1 diabetes: associations with sociodemographics, weight concerns, familial factors, and metabolic outcomes. Diabetes Care. 2002;25:1289-96. in an evaluation of adolescents with T1D, found no association with BMI, although high levels of body dissatisfaction were associated with unhealthy weight control practices.

Approximately half the study population used carbohydrate counting to help with glycemic control and, in this study, not counting carbohydrates was associated with ED risk. Carbohydrate counting was planned to allow dietary flexibility, but some patients use it in a stricter way, with excessive worries about food composition, food planning, and meal and portion sizes; this could lead to obsession about food and health, a feeling of lack of control, a belief that diabetes controls life, and inadequate eating behaviors22. Jones JM, Lawson ML, Daneman D, Olmsted MP, Rodin G. Eating disorders in adolescent females with and without type 1 diabetes: cross sectional study. BMJ. 2000;320:1563-6.,2525. Colton P, Olmsted M, Daneman D, Rydall A, Rodin G. Disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes: a case-controlled study. Diabetes Care. 2004;27:1654-9.,3333. Pereira RF, Alvarenga M. Disordered eating: identifying, treating, preventing, and differentiating it from eating disorders. Diabetes Spectr. 2007;20:141-8. - attitudes and behaviors similar to those of patients with ED.2525. Colton P, Olmsted M, Daneman D, Rydall A, Rodin G. Disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes: a case-controlled study. Diabetes Care. 2004;27:1654-9.

The association between not counting carbohydrates and ED risk contradicts the literature, in which the possible rigid control that accompanies the carbohydrate counting method is associated with inappropriate eating behaviors.2525. Colton P, Olmsted M, Daneman D, Rydall A, Rodin G. Disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes: a case-controlled study. Diabetes Care. 2004;27:1654-9. It has been recommended that nutritional follow-up of patients with T1D, especially for those at risk of ED, involve flexible strategies for meal planning without emphasizing carbohydrate counting until the patient has recovered from disordered eating symptoms.2525. Colton P, Olmsted M, Daneman D, Rydall A, Rodin G. Disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes: a case-controlled study. Diabetes Care. 2004;27:1654-9.

Diabetes is a disease that demands interdisciplinary treatment, including a specialized and careful nutritional approach. Erroneous concepts about eating and nutrition, combined with weight gain due to insulin therapy and the resulting body dissatisfaction, can contribute to restrictive, compensatory, and binge behaviors, which place the individual at risk of ED.99. Pereira RF, Alvarenga M, Pieper C, Kotait MS. Transtornos alimentares e diabetes mellitus. In: Alvarenga M, Scagliusi FB, Philippi ST. Nutrição e transtornos alimentares: avaliação e tratamento. Barueri: Manole; 2010. p. 117-32.,3333. Pereira RF, Alvarenga M. Disordered eating: identifying, treating, preventing, and differentiating it from eating disorders. Diabetes Spectr. 2007;20:141-8.

With regard to insulin types, NPH use was higher and glargine use was lower among those at risk of ED. It has also been observed that patients who used NPH insulin had approximately twice the risk according to logistic regression analysis. No study correlating insulin type with ED risk was found, but there has been discussion about a relationship between the type of insulin used and weight gain. It is known that higher weight or BMI can be predictors of ED risk.3434. Meltzer LJ, Johnson SB, Prine JM, Banks RA, Desrosiers PM, Silverstein JH. Disordered eating, body mass, and glycemic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2001;24:678-82.

Clinical trials with adults have demonstrated that basal insulins such as detemir and glargine seem to cause less weight gain than NPH insulin.3535. Hermansen K, Fontaine P, Kukulja KK, Peterkova V, Leth G, Gall MA. Insulin analogues (insulin detemir and insulin aspart) versus traditional human insulins (NPH insulin and regular human insulin) in basal-bolus therapy for patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetologia. 2004;47:622-9. Groups treated with intensive insulin therapy, i.e., three or more daily insulin doses or continuous infusion, gain more weight than those treated with conventional therapy involving two insulin administrations per day.3636. Malerbi DA, Franco LJ. Multicenter study of the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance in the urban Brazilian population aged 30-69 yr. The Brazilian cooperative group on the study of diabetes prevalence. Diabetes Care. 1992;15:1509-16.

Insulin omission

In the present study, the proportion of patients who reported reducing or omitting insulin doses to lose weight was higher than that reported both by Howe et al.,3737. Howe CJ, Jawad AF, Kelly SD, Lipman TH. Weight-related concerns and behaviors in children and adolescents with type1 diabetes. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc. 2008;13:376-85. who found that 1.4% of the patients omitted insulin and 1% reduced their doses to lose weight, and by Colton et al.,33. Colton PA, Olmsted MP, Daneman D, Rydall AC, Rodin GM. Five-year prevalence and persistence of disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders in girls with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2007;30:2861-2.,2525. Colton P, Olmsted M, Daneman D, Rydall A, Rodin G. Disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes: a case-controlled study. Diabetes Care. 2004;27:1654-9. who reported 2 and 3.1% omission, respectively.

Considering that all of the patients who reported omitting insulin in the present study were women, the data are similar to those of Ackard et al.2929. Ackard DM, Vik N, Neumark-Sztainer D, Schmitz KH, Hannan P, Jacobs DR Jr. Disordered eating and body dissatisfaction in adolescents with type 1 diabetes and a population-based comparison sample: comparative prevalence and clinical implications. Pediatr Diabetes. 2008;28:312-9. These authors found insulin omission for the purpose of weight control in 1.4% of men and 10.3% of women, as well as reduced doses in 1.4% of men and 7.4% of women. Furthermore, Neumark-Sztainer et al.3030. Neumark-Sztainer D, Patterson J, Mellin A, Ackard DM, Utter J, Story M, et al. Weight control practices and disordered eating behaviors among adolescent females and males with type 1 diabetes: associations with sociodemographics, weight concerns, familial factors, and metabolic outcomes. Diabetes Care. 2002;25:1289-96. found that 7 to 10% of their adolescent participants omitted insulin.

Several authors have found higher frequencies of insulin reduction or omission than those found in the present study.22. Jones JM, Lawson ML, Daneman D, Olmsted MP, Rodin G. Eating disorders in adolescent females with and without type 1 diabetes: cross sectional study. BMJ. 2000;320:1563-6.,1010. Rydall AC, Rodin GM, Olmsted MP, Devenyi RG, Daneman D. Disordered eating behavior and microvascular complications in young women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med. 1997;336:1849-54. One factor that could affect this frequency is gender, as the frequency of insulin omission seems to be higher in studies of women. Another factor is nutritional status, considering that patients with higher BMI tend to be more dissatisfied with their body image, which may lead to inappropriate weight control strategies. Thus, studies involving patients with higher BMIs may find higher rates of insulin reduction or omission.

In this study, the majority of those who omitted insulin were also overweight and more dissatisfied with their bodies. Perhaps the dissatisfaction with body image had some influence on the decision to use such a drastic attempt at weight loss/control. It is also debated whether intensive insulin therapy may be related to weight gain and insulin omission, considering that the patient would have to administer insulin more frequently each day. Of all the patients who omitted insulin, only one took less than three insulin doses per day, i.e, the others were treated with intensive doses.

On logistic regression analysis, insulin omission was the highest risk factor for ED; those who reported this behavior had approximately nine times the ED risk of the other patients. It is known that insulin restriction is associated with increased diabetic complications and a higher mortality risk. Evaluation of women with T1D in an 11-year follow-up study found a 3.2 higher mortality risk associated with insulin omission.3838. Goebel-Fabbri AE, Fikkan J, Franko DL, Pearson K, Anderson BJ, Weinger K. Insulin restriction and associated morbidity and mortality in women with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2008;31:415-9. There is an association between prolonged insulin omission (insulin reduction or omission of at least 1/4 of the prescribed dose), duration of T1D, and both retinopathy (odds ratio of 1.35 and 1.25, respectively) and nephropathy (odds ratio of 1.35 and 1.21, respectively).1111. Takii M, Uchigata Y, Tokunaga S, Amemiya N, Kinukawa N, Nozaki T, et al. The duration of severe insulin omission is the factor most closely associated with the microvascular complications of type 1 diabetic females with clinical eating disorders. Int J Eat Disord. 2008;41:259-64.

The results of the present study should alert health care professionals to this and other dangerous practices used for weight control among patients with diabetes. Appropriate preventive treatment should be provided, considering that these patients have an increased risk of developing ED as well as microvascular complications common to diabetes at an early stage.1010. Rydall AC, Rodin GM, Olmsted MP, Devenyi RG, Daneman D. Disordered eating behavior and microvascular complications in young women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med. 1997;336:1849-54.,1111. Takii M, Uchigata Y, Tokunaga S, Amemiya N, Kinukawa N, Nozaki T, et al. The duration of severe insulin omission is the factor most closely associated with the microvascular complications of type 1 diabetic females with clinical eating disorders. Int J Eat Disord. 2008;41:259-64.

Limitations

One of the limitations of the present study is related to the scales used. Although other instruments specific to the investigation of risk behavior for ED in patients with T1D are available, none have been translated into Portuguese or validated for Brazil.2525. Colton P, Olmsted M, Daneman D, Rydall A, Rodin G. Disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes: a case-controlled study. Diabetes Care. 2004;27:1654-9.

26. García-Reyna NI, Gussinyer S, Raich RM, Gussinyer M, Tomès J, Carrascosa A. [Eating disorders in young adolescents with type 1 diabetes]. Med Clin (Barc). 2004;122:690-2.
-2727. Markowitz JT, Butler DA, Volkening LK, Antisdel JE, Anderson BJ, Laffel LM. Brief screening tool for disordered eating in diabetes: internal consistency and external validity in a contemporary sample of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2010;33:495-500. It bears noting that certain items of standardized tests, instead of representing risk behavior for ED, could rather be seen as indicating adequate control of diabetes.99. Pereira RF, Alvarenga M, Pieper C, Kotait MS. Transtornos alimentares e diabetes mellitus. In: Alvarenga M, Scagliusi FB, Philippi ST. Nutrição e transtornos alimentares: avaliação e tratamento. Barueri: Manole; 2010. p. 117-32.,3333. Pereira RF, Alvarenga M. Disordered eating: identifying, treating, preventing, and differentiating it from eating disorders. Diabetes Spectr. 2007;20:141-8. This could be the case for EAT items such as “I eat diet foods,” “I avoid foods with sugar in them,” and “I particularly avoid foods with a high carbohydrate content.”

Nevertheless, the EAT is probably the most commonly used test for ED; it has been translated and validated in a number of languages and countries,2222. Kjelsås E, Bjørnstrøm C, Götestam KG. Prevalence of eating disorders in female and male adolescents (14-15 years). Eat Behav. 2004;5:13-25. and has been used in a several studies to evaluate ED behavior in diabetic patients.22. Jones JM, Lawson ML, Daneman D, Olmsted MP, Rodin G. Eating disorders in adolescent females with and without type 1 diabetes: cross sectional study. BMJ. 2000;320:1563-6.,2424. Grylli V, Wagner G, Hafferl-Gattermayer A, Schober E, Karwautz A. Disturbed eating attitudes, coping styles, and subjective quality of life in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. J Psychosom Res. 2005;59:65-72.,2525. Colton P, Olmsted M, Daneman D, Rydall A, Rodin G. Disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes: a case-controlled study. Diabetes Care. 2004;27:1654-9.,2828. Robertson P, Rosenvinge JH. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a risk factor in anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa? An empirical study of 116 women. J Psychosom Res. 1990;34:535-41.,3939. Cantwell R, Steel JM. Screening for eating disorders in diabetes mellitus. J Psychosom Res. 1996;40:15-20. Moreover, Cantwell ? Stell3939. Cantwell R, Steel JM. Screening for eating disorders in diabetes mellitus. J Psychosom Res. 1996;40:15-20. reported that the EAT-40, associated with questions regarding the handling of insulin, was effective for identifying patients at high risk of ED. Studies evaluating risk in adolescents and young adults without T1D have generally found lower positive EAT values than those of the present study2222. Kjelsås E, Bjørnstrøm C, Götestam KG. Prevalence of eating disorders in female and male adolescents (14-15 years). Eat Behav. 2004;5:13-25. and thus, the magnitude of positive scores in the present study stands out.

In addition to the scales themselves, it should be noted that using a greater number of instruments could increase the rate of false-positives and including in the ED positive risk behavior a group of patients with different characteristics (e.g., restriction, uncontrolled eating).

Furthermore, the sample included in this study, with both adolescent and adult T1D patients, could be overly heterogeneous for certain analyses; not only is the duration of diabetes different in these age groups, but teenagers also have different concerns about body image, for example. This study also did not evaluate a control group of healthy adolescents and adults.

Therefore, other studies should be carried out with more homogeneous Brazilian samples, using diagnostic scales, to evaluate the frequency of both ED risk behavior and ED criteria in patients with T1D. We recommend that case-control studies be conducted to measure the prevalence of such behaviors in populations with and without diabetes.

In sum, this sample of patients with T1D exhibited a high frequency of ED risk behavior, as shown in studies carried out in other countries. They also exhibited a high frequency of body dissatisfaction and reduced or omitted insulin for weight loss, consistent with what has been described in international studies. These results demonstrate the need for extensive care of T1D patients focusing on the prevention, follow-up and treatment of ED risk behaviors, with special attention to insulin reduction or omission, due to its association with severe clinical complications.

The authors would like to thank Rejane Figueiredo for her assistance with the statistical analysis for this study, in addition to the Diabetes League of HC-FMUSP and the Juvenile Diabetes Association.

References

  • 1
    Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, Toporoff E, Cassuto N, Resnick MD, Blum RW. Psychosocial predictors of binge eating and purging behaviors among adolescents with and without diabetes mellitus. J Adolesc Health. 1996;19:289-96.
  • 2
    Jones JM, Lawson ML, Daneman D, Olmsted MP, Rodin G. Eating disorders in adolescent females with and without type 1 diabetes: cross sectional study. BMJ. 2000;320:1563-6.
  • 3
    Colton PA, Olmsted MP, Daneman D, Rydall AC, Rodin GM. Five-year prevalence and persistence of disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders in girls with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2007;30:2861-2.
  • 4
    Smith FM, Latchford GJ, Hall RM, Dickson RA. Do chronic medical conditions increase the risk of eating disorder? A cross-sectional investigation of eating pathology in adolescent females with scoliosis and diabetes. J Adolesc Health. 2008;42:58-63.
  • 5
    Colton P, Rodin G, Bergenstal R. Parkin C. Eating disorders and diabetes: introduction and overview. Diabetes Spectr. 2009;22:138-42.
  • 6
    Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes (SBD). Diretrizes da Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes 2009. 3rd ed. Itapevi: AC Farmacêutica; 2009.
  • 7
    American Psychiatric Association (APA). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 4th ed. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000.
  • 8
    Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). Classificação de transtornos mentais e de comportamento da CID-10: descrições clínicas e diretrizes diagnósticas. 1st ed. Porto Alegre: Artmed; 1993.
  • 9
    Pereira RF, Alvarenga M, Pieper C, Kotait MS. Transtornos alimentares e diabetes mellitus. In: Alvarenga M, Scagliusi FB, Philippi ST. Nutrição e transtornos alimentares: avaliação e tratamento. Barueri: Manole; 2010. p. 117-32.
  • 10
    Rydall AC, Rodin GM, Olmsted MP, Devenyi RG, Daneman D. Disordered eating behavior and microvascular complications in young women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med. 1997;336:1849-54.
  • 11
    Takii M, Uchigata Y, Tokunaga S, Amemiya N, Kinukawa N, Nozaki T, et al. The duration of severe insulin omission is the factor most closely associated with the microvascular complications of type 1 diabetic females with clinical eating disorders. Int J Eat Disord. 2008;41:259-64.
  • 12
    Papelbaum M, Appolinário JC, Moreira RO, Ellinger VC, Kupfer R, Coutinho WF. Prevalence of eating disorders and psychiatric comorbidity in a clinical sample of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Rev Bras Psiquiatr. 2005;27:135-8.
  • 13
    Azevedo AP, Papelbaum M, D'Elia F. [Diabetes and eating disorders: a high risk association]. Rev Bras Psiquiatr. 2002;24:77-80.
  • 14
    Papelbaum M, Moreira RO, Coutinho W, Ellinger VCM, Sichieri R, Coutinho E, Zagury L, et al. [Diabetes mellitus and eating disorders: a systematic review]. J Bras Psiquiatr. 2004;53:163-73.
  • 15
    Papelbaum M, Appolinário JC, Moreira RO, Duchesne M, Kupfer R, Coutinho W. [Distribution of eating disorders in subjects with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a description of two cases]. Rev Psiquiatr Rio Gd Sul. 2007;27:71-4.
  • 16
    Bighetti F. [Translation and validation of the Eating Attitude Test (EAT 26) in female adolescents in Ribeirão Preto city - SP] [dissertation]. São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo; 2003.
  • 17
    Cordás TA, Hochgraf PB. [The “BITE”: tool for evaluation of bulimia nervosa - portuguese version]. J Bras Psiquiatr. 1993;42:141-4.
  • 18
    Freitas SR, Lopes CS, Coutinho W, Appolinario JC. [Translation and adaptation into Portuguese of the Binge-Eating Scale]. Rev Bras Psiquiatr. 2001;23:215-20.
  • 19
    Stunkard AJ, Sorensen TI, Schulsinger F. Use of the Danish Adoption Register for the study of obesity and thinness. Res Publ Assoc Res Nerv Ment Dis. 1983;60:115-20.
  • 20
    World Health Organization. Global database on body mass index. [Internet] An interactive surveillance tool for monitoring nutrition transition. 2006 [cited 2011 Nov 14]. http://apps.who.int/bmi/index.jsp
    » http://apps.who.int/bmi/index.jsp
  • 21
    Onis M, Onyango AW, Borghi E, Siyam A, Nishida C, Siekmann J. Development of a WHO growth reference for school-aged children and adolescents. Bull World Health Organ. 2007;85:660-7.
  • 22
    Kjelsås E, Bjørnstrøm C, Götestam KG. Prevalence of eating disorders in female and male adolescents (14-15 years). Eat Behav. 2004;5:13-25.
  • 23
    Haines J, Kleinman KP, Rifas-Shiman SL, Field AE, Austin SB. Examination of shared risk and protective factors for overweight and disordered eating among adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2010;164:336-43.
  • 24
    Grylli V, Wagner G, Hafferl-Gattermayer A, Schober E, Karwautz A. Disturbed eating attitudes, coping styles, and subjective quality of life in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. J Psychosom Res. 2005;59:65-72.
  • 25
    Colton P, Olmsted M, Daneman D, Rydall A, Rodin G. Disturbed eating behavior and eating disorders in preteen and early teenage girls with type 1 diabetes: a case-controlled study. Diabetes Care. 2004;27:1654-9.
  • 26
    García-Reyna NI, Gussinyer S, Raich RM, Gussinyer M, Tomès J, Carrascosa A. [Eating disorders in young adolescents with type 1 diabetes]. Med Clin (Barc). 2004;122:690-2.
  • 27
    Markowitz JT, Butler DA, Volkening LK, Antisdel JE, Anderson BJ, Laffel LM. Brief screening tool for disordered eating in diabetes: internal consistency and external validity in a contemporary sample of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2010;33:495-500.
  • 28
    Robertson P, Rosenvinge JH. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a risk factor in anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa? An empirical study of 116 women. J Psychosom Res. 1990;34:535-41.
  • 29
    Ackard DM, Vik N, Neumark-Sztainer D, Schmitz KH, Hannan P, Jacobs DR Jr. Disordered eating and body dissatisfaction in adolescents with type 1 diabetes and a population-based comparison sample: comparative prevalence and clinical implications. Pediatr Diabetes. 2008;28:312-9.
  • 30
    Neumark-Sztainer D, Patterson J, Mellin A, Ackard DM, Utter J, Story M, et al. Weight control practices and disordered eating behaviors among adolescent females and males with type 1 diabetes: associations with sociodemographics, weight concerns, familial factors, and metabolic outcomes. Diabetes Care. 2002;25:1289-96.
  • 31
    Alvarenga MS, Philippi ST, Lourenço BH, Sato PM, Scagliusi FB. [Body image dissatisfaction in female Brazilian university students]. J Bras Psiquiatr. 2010;59:44-51.
  • 32
    Kichler JC, Foster C, Opipari-Arrigan L. The relationship between negative comunication and body image dissatisfaction in adolescent females with type 1 diabetes mellitus. J Health Psychol. 2008;13:336-47.
  • 33
    Pereira RF, Alvarenga M. Disordered eating: identifying, treating, preventing, and differentiating it from eating disorders. Diabetes Spectr. 2007;20:141-8.
  • 34
    Meltzer LJ, Johnson SB, Prine JM, Banks RA, Desrosiers PM, Silverstein JH. Disordered eating, body mass, and glycemic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2001;24:678-82.
  • 35
    Hermansen K, Fontaine P, Kukulja KK, Peterkova V, Leth G, Gall MA. Insulin analogues (insulin detemir and insulin aspart) versus traditional human insulins (NPH insulin and regular human insulin) in basal-bolus therapy for patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetologia. 2004;47:622-9.
  • 36
    Malerbi DA, Franco LJ. Multicenter study of the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance in the urban Brazilian population aged 30-69 yr. The Brazilian cooperative group on the study of diabetes prevalence. Diabetes Care. 1992;15:1509-16.
  • 37
    Howe CJ, Jawad AF, Kelly SD, Lipman TH. Weight-related concerns and behaviors in children and adolescents with type1 diabetes. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc. 2008;13:376-85.
  • 38
    Goebel-Fabbri AE, Fikkan J, Franko DL, Pearson K, Anderson BJ, Weinger K. Insulin restriction and associated morbidity and mortality in women with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2008;31:415-9.
  • 39
    Cantwell R, Steel JM. Screening for eating disorders in diabetes mellitus. J Psychosom Res. 1996;40:15-20.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    April-June 2013

History

  • Received
    10 Jan 2012
  • Accepted
    14 May 2012
Associação Brasileira de Psiquiatria Rua Pedro de Toledo, 967 - casa 1, 04039-032 São Paulo SP Brazil, Tel.: +55 11 5081-6799, Fax: +55 11 3384-6799, Fax: +55 11 5579-6210 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: editorial@abp.org.br