The relationship between food addiction, eating attitudes, and psychiatric symptoms with metabolic control in adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Background Metabolic control is of critical importance in children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) for the stabilization of blood glucose levels and long-term health outcomes. Dietary choices play an important role in glucose control and the prevention of diabetes-related complications. This study aims to investigate the relationship between food addiction, eating attitudes, and psychiatric symptoms with metabolic control in adolescents diagnosed with T1DM. Methods Participants (N = 100) were assessed using the Yale Food Addiction Scale (Y-FAS), Eating Attitudes Test-40 (EAT-40), and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) to evaluate food addiction, eating attitudes, and psychiatric symptoms. Metabolic parameters of adolescents with T1DM, such as body mass index (BMI), HbA1c levels, insulin dosage, duration of diabetes, and the incidence of ketoacidosis and hypoglycemia, were recorded. Results The study found that 15% of adolescents had food addiction criteria, and 17% were prone to disordered eating behaviors. The presence of a history of hypoglycemia was related to a higher total symptom score on YFAS and higher total scores, depression, anxiety, somatization, and hostility subscale scores on BSI (p <.05 for all). BMI was positively correlated with anxiety about gaining weight on EAT-40 and higher total scores, depression, and anxiety subscale scores on BSI (p <.05 for all). As the BMI percentile group increased from normal to overweight/obesity, more food addiction symptoms were observed, and significant increases were found in depression, anxiety, negative self-perception, and somatization subscale scores, and the BSI total score (p <.05 for all). Conclusions Findings suggest that adolescents with T1DM may have a higher susceptibility to food addiction and eating disorders compared to the rates reported in the general population. Hypoglycemia can be a metabolic risk factor for food addiction in adolescents with T1DM. Psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and somatization in adolescents with T1DM are associated with poor metabolic control. Further studies are needed with larger and more diverse samples.