A preliminary case-control study on nutritional status, body composition, and glycemic control of Greek children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Background: Because scientific data on the diet of diabetic Greek youngsters are scarce, diabetic experts use findings from international studies. However, because of diet variations between countries, this may result in problems in diabetes control. The aim of the present pilot study was to assess body composition, nutritional status, and diabetes control in Greek youngsters with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: Twenty-four children and adolescents with diabetes, aged 4-16 years, and the same number of age-and sex-matched controls participated in the study. Anthropometry included stature, weight, and body fat determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and z-scores were calculated. Diabetes control was evaluated through glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and dietary intake was recorded for 3 days. Results: The FFMI, BMI z-score and weight-for-age z-score were lower in controls compared with diabetic youngsters (P <= 0.001, P <= 0.02, and P <= 0.01, respectively). Three diabetic participants were overweight (12.5%) and two controls were underweight (8.3%). The energy and nutrient intake was similar between the two groups, and all participants consumed a diet high in fats and proteins at the expense of carbohydrates. Dietary fat was highly correlated with BMI in both groups. The consumption of vitamin D was inadequate in the diabetic participants, but they had a higher intake of antioxidant vitamins, vitamin B-6, and folate compared with the control group. Conclusions: In conclusion, youngsters with T1DM failed to adhere to the macronutrient recommendations for diabetes, but dietary patterns were similar in both the diabetic and control groups. The control of diabetes was not associated with any nutrient or anthropometric variable.