Glycemic Variability and Disordered Eating Among Adolescents and Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: The Role of Disinhibited Eating

Background and Aims: Disordered eating behaviors (DEB) are common among individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Glycemic variability, potentially harmful in T1D, may reveal distinct characteristics between those with higher versus lower variability, particularly concerning DEB. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of DEB and associated risk factors among adolescents and young adults with T1D and to investigate unique factors associated with DEB across different levels of glycemic variability. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted with 147 individuals with T1D, aged 13-21 years. Data were collected from medical charts, personal technological devices for assessing glycemic variability, and self-reported questionnaires, including assessments of DEB. Results: DEB were found in 62 (42.1%) individuals, and 41.5% achieved the glycemic variability (% coefficient of variation) target ≤36%. Among individuals with low glycemic variability, DEB were positively associated with diabetes distress (odds ratio [OR]: 1.14 [95% confidence interval or CI: 1.05-1.22], P < 0.001), longer diabetes duration (OR: 1.34 [95% CI: 1.05-1.70], P = 0.016) and lower socioeconomic-status (OR: 0.53 [95% CI: 0.31-0.90], P = 0.019). Among those with high glycemic variability, body mass index Z score (OR: 3.82 [95% CI: 1.48-9.85], P = 0.005), HbA1c (OR: 4.12 [95% CI: 1.33-12.80], P = 0.014), disinhibited eating (OR: 1.57 [95% CI: 1.14-2.15], P = 0.005), and tendency to lower socioeconomic status (OR: 0.75 [95% CI: 0.56-1.01], P = 0.065). Discussion: DEB are prevalent among adolescents and young adults with T1D and are associated with various risk factors. Factors associated with DEB vary across different levels of glycemic variability. Both low and high glycemic variability are associated with specific risk factors for DEB. One notable risk factor is diabetes-specific disinhibited eating among individuals with high glycemic variability, in contrast to those with low glycemic variability. Given these different risk factors, it may be prudent to adjust intervention programs to reduce DEB among T1D adolescents according to their glycemic variability levels.