Changes in Diet and Lifestyle may Lower the Risk of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Children-Environmental Factors Influencing Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Morbidity

Abstract

Introduction: A significant increase in the incidence of type 1 diabetes has been observed. Environmental factors are considered to play a major role in aetiology of type 1 diabetes. Material and methods:The study included 153 patients aged 0-18 years old: 75 admitted to Department of Paediatrics, Diabetology and Endocrinology due to newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (DM1) and 78 admitted to the Paediatric Hospital "Polanki" in the years 2010-2015. The parents were asked to fill in a questionnaire about environmental factors and development of their children. Statistical analyses were performed using STATISTICA 12 package, using T-student test, Chi-square test (with Yates modification) and U Mann-Whitney test. respectively). Moreover, a significant reduction of DM1 risk was observed in children vaccinated with combined vaccines and recommended vaccinations against Streptococcus pneumoniae and rotaviruses (59% to 26,6%, p=0.001; 60% to 25,3%, p<0.001). No difference was found between the groups concerning: body weight in the second year of life, length of breast feeding, gluten introduction, viral infections, source of drinking water or way of heating. Conclusions:Finding environmental factors that cause increase of incidence of type 1 diabetes is relevant for the further studies and prevention of this illness. Limiting highly processed food and sweet beverages consumption, reducing 'screen time' as well as combined vaccinations may have an important influence on lowering DM1 risk. Results:Children from the Study Group ate significantly more candies, chocolate bars and drank more sweet beverages prior to the diagnosis of DM1 (72% to 55%, p=0.03; 80% to 42%, p<0.0006; 60% to 40%, p=0.01 respectively). Children with DM1 spent more time in front of TV set (53% to 36%, p=0.06; 2,26 hours to 1,8 hours, p=0.02.