Eating Disorders and Diabetes

Eating Disorders and Diabetes

An eating disorder is a serious emotional and physical illness that can have lifethreatening consequences, especially for children and adolescents with diabetes. Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorders are very complex conditions that require professional help.


Complications

Severe medical conditions that can occur with eating disorders include electrolyte imbalance, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, thinning of the walls of the heart, osteoporosis (brittle bones), hair loss, tooth erosion, gum problems, and swelling of the salivary glands.


Prevention

The following recommendations can help minimize the influence of diabetes management in development of eating disorders.

• Focus on food choices rather than food restrictions. All foods, including sweets may be worked into a diet for diabetes with planning. (See Classroom Snacks on pages C-6-8 for substitutions).
• Don’t expect perfection in diet compliance.
• Avoid emotional or judgmental labels for foods or eating behaviors. Do not categorize foods as “good or bad”, or say that a person is “good or bad” based on how or what they eat.
• Make sure that a child’s or adolescent’s meals and snacks include foods that he/she enjoys and allows for their favorite foods to be included.
• Avoid making the person with diabetes feel different. Singling them out may result in feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Recommend consultation with a Certified Diabetes Educator or a Registered Dietitian/Physician if you feel that the meal plan needs adjusting to meet the individual’s needs or food preferences.