P-345: Food intake and eating patterns in preschool children with type 1 diabetes using advanced diabetes technology compared with healthy Swedish children
E Jelleryd, C E Smart, U Käck, A -L Brorsson, A Lindholm-OlinderAbstract
Introduction
Studies on preschool children with T1D have shown dietary intakes, higher in saturated fat and lower in vegetables than peers without T1D, increasing cardiovascular risk. It has been postulated that technology such as automated insulin delivery systems allow more flexible eating patterns and less precise carbohydrate counting, potentially enabling young children with T1D to eat more similarly to their peers.
Objectives
The aim was to compare dietary intake of very young children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using insulin pump therapy with healthy peers and national Swedish data.
Methods
This was a case-control study, comparing dietary intake in children aged 0-5 years with (n=29) and without (n=30) T1D. Food and nutrition intake were assessed using a digital food diary. Nutritional composition, meal frequency and snacking were compared between groups and with population-based data.
Results
Children with T1D consumed a diet high in fat 37.4% of total energy exceeding the recommendations. Both groups consumed saturated fat above recommendations (14.5 vs 13.9 E%, p=0.518). Children with T1D ate less carbohydrates (44.7 E% vs 48.6 E%, p=0.014) and had a lower intake of total sugar (16.6 vs 22.9 g/day, p=<.001). A lower intake of dairy foods was reported in the T1D-group (p=0.020), with 44.8% of the T1D group not reaching recommended intakes of calcium. Hypoglycemia was reported on average 4.6 times per day (range 1-13), which contributed an additional daily 70.8 (SD 45.8) kcal per child
Conclusions
Preschool children with T1D consume a diet that does not meet guidelines for healthy eating, with high fat intakes, comparable to age matched controls and national data for Swedish children without T1D. Young children with T1D had lower intakes of carbohydrate, including total sugars and dairy than children without diabetes. Automated insulin delivery systems did not prevent parents from treating hypoglycemia. Support and education to ensure healthy eating remain crucial.