Journal Article

The relationship between food addiction, eating attitudes, and psychiatric symptoms with metabolic control in adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

İçen, Sarper, Torun, Yasemin Taş, Bideci, Aysun, Özdemir, Esma Kaya, Solmaz, Nihan, Çamurdan, M. Orhun, Döğer, Esra

2025

Overview

Background Metabolic control is of critical importance in children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) for the stabilization of blood glucose levels and long-term health outcomes. Dietary choices play an important role in glucose control and the prevention of diabetes-related complications. This study aims to investigate the relationship between food addiction, eating attitudes, and psychiatric symptoms with metabolic control in adolescents diagnosed with T1DM. Methods Participants ( N  = 100) were assessed using the Yale Food Addiction Scale (Y-FAS), Eating Attitudes Test-40 (EAT-40), and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) to evaluate food addiction, eating attitudes, and psychiatric symptoms. Metabolic parameters of adolescents with T1DM, such as body mass index (BMI), HbA1c levels, insulin dosage, duration of diabetes, and the incidence of ketoacidosis and hypoglycemia, were recorded. Results The study found that 15% of adolescents had food addiction criteria, and 17% were prone to disordered eating behaviors. The presence of a history of hypoglycemia was related to a higher total symptom score on YFAS and higher total scores, depression, anxiety, somatization, and hostility subscale scores on BSI ( p  <.05 for all). BMI was positively correlated with anxiety about gaining weight on EAT-40 and higher total scores, depression, and anxiety subscale scores on BSI ( p  <.05 for all). As the BMI percentile group increased from normal to overweight/obesity, more food addiction symptoms were observed, and significant increases were found in depression, anxiety, negative self-perception, and somatization subscale scores, and the BSI total score ( p  <.05 for all). Conclusions Findings suggest that adolescents with T1DM may have a higher susceptibility to food addiction and eating disorders compared to the rates reported in the general population. Hypoglycemia can be a metabolic risk factor for food addiction in adolescents with T1DM. Psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and somatization in adolescents with T1DM are associated with poor metabolic control. Further studies are needed with larger and more diverse samples. Plain English Summary Adolescence is a difficult period for patients with type 1 diabetes due to problems in following dietary management. Consuming certain foods may become addictive, similar to well-known substance or alcohol addictions, and complicate the treatment of diabetes. This study showed links between food addiction and diabetes-related parameters among adolescents with type 1 diabetes. On the other hand, some of the eating attitudes may be related to increased risk for eating disorders, such as anxiety about gaining weight among type 1 diabetes patients with obesity. Moreover, findings point out that there may be associations between psychological difficulties and poor glycemic control.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,BMC
• Subject: Adolescence / Anxiety / Behavioral Science and Psychology / Blood sugar / Clinical Psychology / Depression, Mental / Diabetes / Diabetes therapy / Disease susceptibility / Eating disorders / Food addiction / Food Addiction and Eating Disorders: Overlaps and Complexities / Food habits / Glycosylated hemoglobin / Health Promotion and Disease Prevention / Patient compliance / Prevention / Psychiatry / Psychological manifestations of general diseases / Psychology / Risk factors / Teenagers / Type 1 diabetes / Youth