Dietary Intake and Eating Patterns of Children with Type 1 Diabetes to Achieving Glycemic Targets

Abstract

Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) occurs when there is the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading to insufficient insulin production and resulting in hyperglycemia. The complex balance of glucose is affected by food, insulin doses, body stresses, exercise, and dozens of other factors. Patient and family education is key, as is an acknowledgment of the normal developmental stages and the challenges this brings in the context of daily living with a chronic disease. Aim of work: To assess nutritional intake and mealtime routines of young children with T1D. Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out among 100 children with T1D mellitus, aged between 2-18 years old, the child was diagnosed with T1D at least 1 month before recruitment to the study and were taught to count CHO using the 15-g exchange as a method of CHO quantification. Children were recruited from the outpatient clinic of Endocrinology Clint at Tanta University Hospital, Al-Gharbia Governorate. Before participating in the study, the protocol was fully explained to the patients, and their informed consent was obtained. Results: There was a significant positive correlation between HB A1C and food frequency of studied T1D patients including Baladi bread (P = 0.050), White honey (P = 0.039), Luncheon (P = 0.030), and cooked vegetable groups (P = 0.017). Conclusion: Parents and children with knowledge about the glycemic index of food can achieve glycemic targets and control more than others.