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. 2024 Jul 30;12(1):106.
doi: 10.1186/s40337-024-01059-z.

Perceived comfort with weight, body shape and eating pattern of young adults with type 1 diabetes and associations with clinical and psychological parameters in a clinical setting

Sneha Vidyasagar  1 , Alison Griffin  2 , Helen d'Emden  3 , Christel Hendrieckx  4   5   6 , Neisha D'Silva  7   8
Affiliations

Perceived comfort with weight, body shape and eating pattern of young adults with type 1 diabetes and associations with clinical and psychological parameters in a clinical setting

Sneha Vidyasagar et al. J Eat Disord. .

Abstract

Background: Higher prevalence of disordered eating in young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) culminates in higher levels of morbidity and mortality. In addition to validated questionnaires for diabetes distress, depression/anxiety symptoms and emotional well-being, the Diabetes Psychosocial Assessment Tool (DPAT) includes three questions about comfort with weight, body shape and eating pattern (WSE), which were derived from literature and multidisciplinary team consensus. Recognising individuals with low comfort with WSE, is the first step towards identifying those who may be at risk of developing eating disorders.

Aims: Observe comfort with WSE, in young adults with T1D, and its associations with demographic/clinical characteristics and psychological parameters.

Methods: 276 young adults, aged 15-26, who attended routine clinical care at a Young Adult Diabetes Clinic, completed the DPAT. The WSE questions were scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1 indicating lowest comfort). Linear regression analysed differences in comfort with weight and eating pattern by demographic and psychological parameters.

Results: 1 in 3 young adults (29%) reported low comfort with WSE (scores 1 or 2). In females, 40%, 41% and 35% had low comfort with weight, shape and eating patterns respectively, in comparison to males in whom it was 18.5%, 16% and 21.5%. Females reported lower comfort with weight and eating pattern (mean 2.9 and 3.0 respectively) than Males (mean 3.7 and 3.6 respectively), each p < 0.001. Lower comfort with weight (p < 0.001) and eating pattern (p = 0.001) was associated with higher body mass index (BMI). Young adults with low comfort with weight and eating pattern experienced elevated diabetes distress and depressive/anxiety symptoms (each p < 0.001), also when adjusted for sex and BMI.

Conclusions: The study has shown that low comfort with WSE is common among young adults with T1D. Adding these questions into routine care, can allow for easy and early identification of low comfort, initiation of a therapeutic dialogue and implementation of focused management strategies.

Keywords: Body satisfaction; Diabetes psychosocial assessment tool; Disordered eating; Type 1 diabetes; Young adult.

Plain language summary

There is a higher rate of disordered eating (DE) in young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) compared to their peers without diabetes. DE occurs on a spectrum from mildly distorted thoughts and behaviours regarding weight, shape and eating to thoughts and behaviours with medical and mental health consequences that do not meet formal diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder. Early screening for DE in T1D is not routinely performed and therefore often remains undetected. Due to the seriousness of the conditions, identification is key. The Diabetes Psychosocial Assessment Tool was developed to annually assess psychosocial well-being of young adults (≥ 16 years) with T1D and includes three questions about comfort with weight, shape and eating pattern (WSE). 1 in 3 young adults with T1D reported low comfort with WSE. Lower comfort with weight and eating pattern was associated with females and with higher body mass index. There was a strong relationship between low comfort with weight and eating pattern and diabetes distress and depressive/anxiety symptoms, after adjusting for sex and body mass index. Hence, inclusion of the WSE questions is valuable for early identification of young adults with T1D who may be at risk for an eating disorder.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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