Food Behaviour and Metabolic Characteristics of Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: Relationship to Glycaemic Control

TL;DR

This study explores how food behaviors and parental feeding practices affect blood sugar control in children and teens with type 1 diabetes.

Contribution

The study identifies new associations between food neophobia, parental feeding practices, and poor glycaemic control in children with type 1 diabetes.

Findings

Food neophobia is inversely linked to liking vegetables, fruits, fish, sweets, and carbohydrates.

Parental practices like restriction and pressure to eat are associated with higher HbA1c levels in children with T1D.

Higher BMI and cholesterol are observed in children with poor glycaemic control (HbA1c >8.5%).

Abstract

Diet is an essential element of treating and managing type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, limited research has examined food behaviour in children and adolescents with T1D and their relationship to glycaemic control. This study evaluated food behaviour, metabolic characteristics and their impact on the glycaemic control of children and adolescents with T1D. Two hundred and fifty-eight participants with T1D (6–15 years, duration of diabetes >1 year) were recruited. Demographic, anthropometric and clinical data were collected. Questionnaires on food neophobia and food preferences were administered. The Child Food Questionnaire (CFQ) also assessed parental feeding practices. An analysis of food behaviour showed that food neophobia was inversely associated with the liking of vegetables, fruits, fish, sweets and carbohydrates. Moreover, by analysing parental feeding practices, an inverse association of “Pressure to eat”, “Monitoring” and “Restriction” with liking for vegetables and carbohydrates emerged. Considering glycaemic control, increased food neophobia and the parent practices “Restriction”, “Pressure to eat” and “Concern about weight” were found in participants with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values >8.5%. Finally, higher body mass index (BMI) and total cholesterol values were observed in subjects with HbA1c values >8.5%. These findings contribute to a better understanding of eating behaviour, metabolic status and their complex relationship with glycaemic control.

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