Eating Disorders and Diabetes

Recent research shows that teenagers with diabetes, particularly type 1 diabetes are actually more prone to developing an eating disorder than those of their age without diabetes. It would appear that treating one disease can instigate another. Treatment and management of the individual’s diabetes can cause psychological strain, depression and a high focus on food intake leading to disordered behaviour towards eating.

One UK research project followed 87 teenage and young adult females over the course of ten years. Concluded was 15% of the group developed either anorexia or bulimia and some stage of the study.

The dangerous method to lose weight seen in individuals with diabetes type 1 is cutting back on insulin in order to control their weight. This is usually down to the emphasis on eating certain things and the weight gain (due to glycemic control) that is inherent among diabetes patients. It reinstates power and control within the individual. The thought process is ‘If I cut back on my insulin I will lose weight.’ which is what everyone suffering an eating disorder is aiming for. The omission of insulin and loss of weight thus makes the diabetes useful to the individual a dangerous cycle can be entered making it difficult to treat as an eating disorder. Cutting back on insulin is usually practiced in conjunction with cutting back on food, or vomiting and other methods of purging, sometimes following binges. It is therefore very dangerous for individuals with diabetes to develop an eating disorder. Not only is their body deprived on correct nutrition but also of the insulin considered ‘vital’ to their well being.

Health complications of someone suffering from an eating disorder with diabetes can develop faster and be more detrimental to their well being than someone without diabetes. As well as the effects of general malnutrition seen amongst many anorexia and bulimia patients, the reduced insulin can cause a rise in blood glucose levels also known as hyperglycaemia. If Blood glucose levels remain too high for too long, onset of a condition called diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) develops. DKA is characterised by high blood acidity that can lead to severe cell damage coma and in some cases death.

It is very important for family, friends and doctors of diabetic individuals, particularly those in adolescence, to be aware of the emotional stress of coping with the diabetes itself and that the probability of disordered eating is actually quite high. Diagnosis of an eating disorder in combination with diabetes needs to be made quickly so that treatment can follow; reducing life threatening complications and thus ensuring restoration of health.

Societies focus on appearance based acceptance plays a large role in the onset of eating disorders generally, however this mixed with the emotional difficulties that can come with managing diabetes makes an individual more susceptible to an eating disorder. Individuals may often feel powerless when diagnosed with diabetes as it’s not something that goes away after treatment.

Eating Disorders and Diabetes

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