Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDiabetes & Eating DisordersSignsTreatmentImproving Body ImageFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Diabetes & Eating Disorders
Signs
Treatment
Improving Body Image
Frequently Asked Questions
Diabetesis a condition that makes it difficult for the body to regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels or to respond to insulin appropriately (insulin resistance). People with diabetes must, therefore, carefully manage their blood sugar through medication orinsulinand pay close attention to the types and amounts of foods they consume.
Sometimes, a person may use their diabetes diagnosis to justify or disguise theireating disorder(ordisordered eating). However, managing diabetes and eating disorders often involve similar behaviors, including closely monitoring food intake, labeling foods as “good” or “bad,” and weight management.
This article will discuss the relationship between types of diabetes and eating disorders, signs of an eating disorder when you have diabetes, and treatment options.
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Diabetes and Eating Disorders: A Cause of the Other?
A systemic review suggested that eating disorders change a person’s risk of developing diabetes because eating disorders can modify the amount of body fat a person has and where it is stored in the body. Since diabetes is a metabolic andendocrinedisorder, fat affects how your body manages insulin.
Some research has shown thatbinge eating disorderandbulimia nervosamay increase the risk of developingtype 2 diabetes, whileanorexia nervosadoes not.
It is challenging to know the exact prevalence of eating disorders among people with diabetes. Still, researchers estimate that they affect around 20% of people with diabetes (much higher than the general population). In addition, women and girls with diabetes are 2.5 times more likely to develop an eating disorder than men and boys.
Diabetes & Eating Disorders StatisticsA recent review estimates that:Eating disorders affect about 30% to 40% of young women with type 1 diabetesBinge eating disorder affects approximately 1.2% to 8% of people with type 2 diabetesNight eating syndrome may affect up to 20% of people with type 2 diabetesBulimia is the most common eating disorder among those with type 1 diabetesBinge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder among those with type 2 diabetesAs many as one-third of women with type 1 diabetes report insulin restriction, with higher levels among those between the ages of 15 and 30
Diabetes & Eating Disorders Statistics
A recent review estimates that:Eating disorders affect about 30% to 40% of young women with type 1 diabetesBinge eating disorder affects approximately 1.2% to 8% of people with type 2 diabetesNight eating syndrome may affect up to 20% of people with type 2 diabetesBulimia is the most common eating disorder among those with type 1 diabetesBinge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder among those with type 2 diabetesAs many as one-third of women with type 1 diabetes report insulin restriction, with higher levels among those between the ages of 15 and 30
A recent review estimates that:
What Is Diabulimia?
In a small trial intervention,acceptance and commitment therapy(ACT) resulted in participants with type 1 diabetes and an eating disorder improving their eating issues and decreasing distress around diabetes management. They also found that participants could better manage difficult thoughts and feelings to make better decisions around eating and managing their diabetes.
Recognizing Signs of an Eating Disorder
Signswill vary depending on whateating disordera person has but may include:
Clinical symptoms that a person with diabetes may also be struggling with an eating disorder include:
This list is not exhaustive and should not be used to diagnose an eating disorder.
Questions From Your Healthcare Provider
Screening questions that healthcare providers may use to identify a potential eating disorder for people with diabetes include:
Treatmentfor diabetes and eating disorders includes a full-team approach, including but not limited to:
In extreme cases, hospitalization may be necessary.
Ways to Improve Body Image
Research has shown that body image dissatisfaction is common among individuals with diabetes, especially for women, girls, and adolescents.Additionally, body image issues may be associated with a higher risk of disordered eating behaviors.
Strategies that may help improve body image include:
Summary
While eating disorders and diabetes aren’t the direct cause of one another, research suggests there is a relationship between the two. Managing diabetes and eating disorders both involve closely monitoring food intake, so it is not uncommon for people with diabetes to develop disordered eating behaviors or eating disorders.
Signs of a person with diabetes and an eating disorder may present as extreme concerns or dissatisfaction about their body or weight, very low-calorie meals, or constant dieting. Clinical appearance of an eating disorder in a person with diabetes may include extreme fluctuations of daily blood glucose, unexplained dramatic change in A1C levels, or sudden weight loss.
Improving body image may help a person manage diabetes and disordered eating. However, a holistic team is the best approach, including an endocrinologist, registered dietitian, nutritionist, eating disorder specialist, and nurse.
A Word From Verywell
While research suggests that eating disorders and diabetes may be related, it’s important to know that having an eating disorder does not mean you will develop diabetes and vice versa. It’s important to seek help if you feel you may be developing disordered eating habits due to your diabetes. Speak with a trusted friend, family member, or healthcare provider who can provide care, support, and resources to help.
Learn MoreHypoglycemia vs Hyperglycemia
Diabulimia is not a formal diagnosis or medical term. It is a term that the media often uses to reference a person with type 1 diabetes who purposely restricts their insulin to lose weight. It is a condition that may lead to early and severe diabetes complications.Learn MoreDiabetes Complications
Diabulimia is not a formal diagnosis or medical term. It is a term that the media often uses to reference a person with type 1 diabetes who purposely restricts their insulin to lose weight. It is a condition that may lead to early and severe diabetes complications.
Learn MoreDiabetes Complications
There’s no one correct way to talk with somebody about their eating disorder. However, it is important to learn as much as possible about eating disorders, speak to them in a caring way, and stick to “I” statements on what you have observed.Learn MoreLearn More About How to Talk to a Loved One About Their Eating Disorder
There’s no one correct way to talk with somebody about their eating disorder. However, it is important to learn as much as possible about eating disorders, speak to them in a caring way, and stick to “I” statements on what you have observed.
Learn MoreLearn More About How to Talk to a Loved One About Their Eating Disorder
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Diabetes Association.Types of eating disorders.
Nieto-Martínez R, González-Rivas JP, Medina-Inojosa JR, et al.Are eating disorders risk factors for type 2 diabetes? A systematic review and meta-analysis.Curr Diab Rep. 2017;17(12):138. doi:10.1007/s11892-017-0949-1
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating disorders and the patient with diabetes.
National Eating Disorders Association.The uniquely dangerous eating disorder symptom in type 1 diabetes.
National Institute of Mental Health.Eating disorders.
National Eating Disorders Association.Warning signs and symptoms.
Troncone A, Cascella C, Chianese A, et al.Body image problems and disordered eating behaviors in Italian adolescents with and without type 1 diabetes: an examination with a gender-specific body image measure.Front Psychol. 2020;11:556520. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.556520
National Eating Disorders Association.Ten steps to positive body image.
Tylka TL, Annunziato RA, Burgard D, et al.The weight-inclusive versus weight-normative approach to health: evaluating the evidence for prioritizing well-being over weight loss.J Obes. 2014;2014:983495. doi:10.1155/2014/983495
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