Comparison of dietary intake between children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and control group

ABSTRACT

The goal of dietary recommendations in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus is to achieve moderate to good control of blood glucose regarding to decrease in diabetic long-term complications. Although educational programs on appropriate dietary habits are offered in Isfahan Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center for diabetic patients, there is no information about their dietary habits. This study has been performed to investigate dietary intake in children with diabetes mellitus type1 and to compare the results with that of non-diabetic ones. A cross-sectional study was performed in two groups of healthy and diabetic children. Data were collected by questionnaire and interview. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were determined by content validity and pilot study. Data were described and analyzed by t-student and Pearson correlation tests in four age groups, using SPSS software. Findings showed that in "A" age group the intake of total calorie and fiber, in "B" age group the intake of fiber, fat, protein, carbohydrate, sugar and SFA, also fat, protein, carbohydrate, sugar and SFA-derived calorie consumption, in "C" age group the intake of sugar and fiber, also PUFA and sugar-derived calorie consumption and in "D" age group the intake of fiber, total calorie, protein, carbohydrate and sugar were higher in diabetic children as compared with the control group. In all subjects, the intake of carbohydrate and total fat was the same as standard recommendations, while protein intake was a little higher which increases the risk of diabetic nephropathy. In all study groups, fiber intake has been decreased with increasing the age, so it is suggested to have dietary educational programs for general population with the goal of changing the life style of people, which itself can result in less social isolation in school-aged diabetic children