Prevalence of disordered eating behaviors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: Results of multicenter Italian nationwide study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) in a large sample of Italian adolescents with type 1 diabetes and to explore potential demographic, clinical, and psychological differences (understood as emotional and behavioral problems) among adolescents with and without DEBs. Method: Adolescents (11–19 years) with type 1 diabetes completed the Diabetes Eating Problems Survey-revised (DEPS-r) and the Youth Self Report (YSR). Demographic and clinical data were also collected. Results: Of 690 adolescents with type 1 diabetes (mean age 14.97 ± 1.81, n = 337 girls) assessed in this study, 28.1% (21% boys, 35% girls) were DEPS-r positive (score ≥ 20). Girls had higher DEPS-r total scores (p