Correlates of Dietary Intake in Youth with Diabetes: Results from the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study

Objective: To explore demographic, socioeconomic, diabetes-related, and behavioral correlates of dietary intake of dairy, fruit, vegetables, sweetened soda, fiber, calcium, and saturated fat in youth with diabetes. Methods: Cross-sectional study of youth 10-22 years old with type 1 (T1DM, n = 2,176) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM, n = 365). Association of dietary intake, demographics, socioeconomic status, behavioral, and diabetes-related measures was explored with quantile regression. Results: T1DM males had lower consumption of vegetables, fruit, and fiber, and higher consumption of soda and saturated fat than females (P < .01). African Americans had lower dairy and higher soda intake than non-Hispanic T1DM whites (P < .01). Soda consumption was higher in older T2DM youth than in younger participants (P < .01). Lifestyle and physical activity patterns were also significantly associated with dietary intake. Conclusions and Implications: Identified demographic and behavioral correlates may help dietitians to focus on groups of youth with diabetes who have lower adherence to a healthful diet. Diet counseling groups may be tailored according to these major determinants.