Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Is Associated with Better Metabolic Features in Youths with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Our aim was to evaluate adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in relation to metabolic control. Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed with the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED)questionnaire and physical activity by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescent (IPAQ-A) on 65 subjects (32 males, 9–18 years) with T1D. Clinical and metabolic evaluation was performed (standardized body mass index(BMI-SDS), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), continuous glucose monitoring metrics when present, blood pressure, lipid profile). Parental characteristics (age, body mass index (BMI), socio-economic status) were reported. The adherence to the MedDiet was poor in 12.3%, average in 58.6%, and high in 29.1% of the subjects. Furthermore, 23.4% of patients were overweight/obese. The most impacting factors on BMI-SDS were skipping breakfast and their father’s BMI. HbA1c and time in range % were positively associated with sweets and fish intake, respectively. Additionally, the father’s socio-economic status (SES) and mother’s age were associated with glucose control. Blood pressure was associated with travelling to school in vehicles, extra-virgin olive oil intake and milk/dairy consumption at breakfast. The promotion of the MedDiet, mainly having a healthy breakfast, is a good strategy to include in the management of T1D to improve glucose and metabolic control. This research is valuable for parents to obtain the best results for their children with T1D.

The relationship among heart health attitudes, socioeconomic factors, and HbA1c levels in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

“…1,11,30,31 It has been shown that favorable metabolic control can be achieved in young individuals with T1DM, who adhere to a Mediterranean diet. 32 In our study, the nutrition subdimension scores of the cardiovascular health promotion attitude scale were associated with HbA1c levels and these findings were similar to those reported in the literature. Nutrition programs for adolescents with Type I DM should be organized in school canteens and cafeterias in cooperation with the health system, education system, and various stakeholders.…”

The relationship among heart health attitudes, socioeconomic factors, and HbA1c levels in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

“…1,11,30,31 It has been shown that favorable metabolic control can be achieved in young individuals with T1DM, who adhere to a Mediterranean diet. 32 In our study, the nutrition subdimension scores of the cardiovascular health promotion attitude scale were associated with HbA1c levels and these findings were similar to those reported in the literature. Nutrition programs for adolescents with Type I DM should be organized in school canteens and cafeterias in cooperation with the health system, education system, and various stakeholders.…”

The Mediterranean Diet for Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Prospective Interventional Study

“…Total sugar consumption correlated inversely with TIR. Our findings corroborate a cross-sectional analysis that involved 97 children with type 1 diabetes, which demonstrated improved HbA1c levels among those with optimal adherence to MED [12]. Another research investigation demonstrated a correlation between higher levels of adherence to the MED and improved glycemic regulation [8].…”

Self-care activities in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

“…Our study highlights that childhood poses specific challenges for self-care, necessitating parental involvement, particularly in the context of insulin therapy, a finding that aligns with conclusions drawn from several studies [20,[43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50].…”

“…Furthermore, the present study unveiled that age has emerged as a sociodemographic factor significantly tied to parental involvement. Despite the reliance on self-reported data, these findings aligned with earlier research literature [20,41,[47][48][49][50]. The present study did not establish a substantial link between parental involvement in the "IRS" and the occurrence of a severe hypoglycemic episode in the preceding month.…”

The relationship among heart health attitudes, socioeconomic factors, and HbA1c levels in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

“…1,11,30,31 It has been shown that favorable metabolic control can be achieved in young individuals with T1DM, who adhere to a Mediterranean diet. 32 In our study, the nutrition subdimension scores of the cardiovascular health promotion attitude scale were associated with HbA1c levels and these findings were similar to those reported in the literature. Nutrition programs for adolescents with Type I DM should be organized in school canteens and cafeterias in cooperation with the health system, education system, and various stakeholders.…”

The Mediterranean Diet for Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Prospective Interventional Study

“…Total sugar consumption correlated inversely with TIR. Our findings corroborate a cross-sectional analysis that involved 97 children with type 1 diabetes, which demonstrated improved HbA1c levels among those with optimal adherence to MED [12]. Another research investigation demonstrated a correlation between higher levels of adherence to the MED and improved glycemic regulation [8].…”

Self-care activities in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

“…Our study highlights that childhood poses specific challenges for self-care, necessitating parental involvement, particularly in the context of insulin therapy, a finding that aligns with conclusions drawn from several studies [20,[43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50].…”

“…Furthermore, the present study unveiled that age has emerged as a sociodemographic factor significantly tied to parental involvement. Despite the reliance on self-reported data, these findings aligned with earlier research literature [20,41,[47][48][49][50]. The present study did not establish a substantial link between parental involvement in the "IRS" and the occurrence of a severe hypoglycemic episode in the preceding month.…”

The relationship among heart health attitudes, socioeconomic factors, and HbA1c levels in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

“…1,11,30,31 It has been shown that favorable metabolic control can be achieved in young individuals with T1DM, who adhere to a Mediterranean diet. 32 In our study, the nutrition subdimension scores of the cardiovascular health promotion attitude scale were associated with HbA1c levels and these findings were similar to those reported in the literature. Nutrition programs for adolescents with Type I DM should be organized in school canteens and cafeterias in cooperation with the health system, education system, and various stakeholders.…”

The Mediterranean Diet for Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Prospective Interventional Study

“…Total sugar consumption correlated inversely with TIR. Our findings corroborate a cross-sectional analysis that involved 97 children with type 1 diabetes, which demonstrated improved HbA1c levels among those with optimal adherence to MED [12]. Another research investigation demonstrated a correlation between higher levels of adherence to the MED and improved glycemic regulation [8].…”

Self-care activities in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

“…Our study highlights that childhood poses specific challenges for self-care, necessitating parental involvement, particularly in the context of insulin therapy, a finding that aligns with conclusions drawn from several studies [20,[43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50].…”

“…Furthermore, the present study unveiled that age has emerged as a sociodemographic factor significantly tied to parental involvement. Despite the reliance on self-reported data, these findings aligned with earlier research literature [20,41,[47][48][49][50]. The present study did not establish a substantial link between parental involvement in the "IRS" and the occurrence of a severe hypoglycemic episode in the preceding month.…”