P-179: Subjective health perception and eating disorder features in youth with type 1 diabetes
R Navardauskaite, V Jaskeviciute, V Bulikaite, K Kairiukstyte, L LasaiteAbstract
Introduction
Eating disorders (ED) and disordered eating behaviors are common in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and may impact metabolic control and quality of life.
Objectives
To evaluate differences in ED symptoms based on subjective health perception in adolescents and young adults with T1D.
Methods
A cross-sectional study included 57 individuals aged 14–25 years with T1D. Participants were divided into two groups based on self-rated health (good vs poor). ED symptoms were assessed using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q 6.0), which evaluates behavioral frequency and attitudinal subscales over the past 28 days, a higher score reflects either greater severity or frequency. Group comparisons were performed using appropriate statistical tests.
Results
Participants with poor self-rated health had significantly higher ED psychopathology. Eating concern (0.5±0.72 vs.1±2.1, p<0.001), shape concern (1.1±1.2 vs 2.8±1.5, p<0.001), weight concern (1.1±1.2 vs 2.6±1.7, p<0.001), and total EDE-Q score (1.1±1.1 vs 2.4±1.5, p<0.001) were all significantly higher. They also reported more binge eating episodes (3.9±6.6 vs 6.5±6.4, p=0.013), episodes with loss of eating control (1.1±3.5 vs 6.3±8.7, p<0.001), and more binge eating days (0.7±0.9 vs 5.4±7.0, p<0.001). Importantly, no significant differences were observed between groups in objective disease-related parameters, including diabetes duration, age at diagnosis, BMI, HbA1c, and time in range.
Conclusions
Poor subjective health perception in youth with T1D is strongly associated with increased ED symptomatology, independent of metabolic parameters. Screening for ED should include patient-reported health perception as a potential risk indicator.