P-179: Subjective health perception and eating disorder features in youth with type 1 diabetes

Abstract

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.