Child Molesters, Child Abuse Effects: Bulimia, Eating Disorders, Addictions

Researchers followed the progress of 87 teenage girls and young women with type 1 diabetes over a decade. Of the group 15 percent had a probable eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia, at some point during the study.

In addition, more than one-third reported cutting back on their insulin in an effort to keep their weight in check, while others said they had vomited or used laxatives to achieve weight control.

The study published in the journal Diabetes Care found that these problems become even more common in young adulthood compared with adolescence.

The results showed that those with a history of eating disorders were five times more likely to suffer two or more diabetes complications.

Those who had ever used unhealthy weight-control tactics or misused their insulin faced a similarly elevated risk of complications. During the study period six women died, two of whom had bulimia.

Lead author Dr Robert Peveler at the University of Southampton, said that despite the importance of healthy habits in type 1 diabetes, some patients are able to disguise the fact that they have an eating disorder.

He said: 'Surprisingly, some patients do manage it for a time. The deterioration in their health may be quite slow and therefore hard to spot.'

The researchers called for better methods of detection and management of this group of patients.

Reference: Peveler R The Relationship of Disordered Eating Habits and Attitudes to Clinical Outcomes in Young Adult Females With Type 1 Diabetes Diabetes Care 2005; 28: 84-88