Sugar Versus Fat in the Diets of Children With and Without Diabetes

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Diet of adolescents with and without diabetes: trading candy for potato chips, by V.S. Helgeson and colleagues. Diabetes Care 29:982-987, 2006.

What is the problem and what is known about it so far?

There have not been many studies done on the diets of children with type 1 diabetes, and even fewer have compared the diets of children with and without diabetes.

Why did the researchers do this particular study?

The researchers wanted to compare the diets of children with and without diabetes based on age, sex, and year in school.

Who was studied?

One hundred and thirty-two children with diabetes were from the Carnegie Mellon University and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. They were in the fifth, sixth, or seventh grade; had type 1 diabetes for at least 1 year; and did not have any other chronic illnesses, such as cancer. An additional 131 children without diabetes were recruited from a local health fair. All the children were between 10 and 14 years old.

How was the study done?

The researchers interviewed the children by phone three times over 3 months. The children, each with one parent, told the interviewer everything they did that day. The interviewer asked for details about any meals and snacks, such as portion size, brand names, recipes, and how the food was prepared.

What did the researchers find?

The researchers found that children with type 1 diabetes took in fewer calories, but they ate more fat and protein than recommended. The diabetic children also ate less carbohydrates than children without diabetes, but children without diabetes ate more sugar.

What were the limitations of the study?

There are two main limitations of this study. First, the children may not remember everything they ate during the day. Second, there is a chance that the children are not willing to mention certain foods they ate, which could be the reason both groups seem to be eating less calories than recommended, even though there is a higher percentage of overweight children in the study than in the normal population.

What are the implications of the study?

According to the results of this study, kids with type 1 diabetes are eating fewer carbohydrates than kids without diabetes, but are replacing those calories with fat. It is important for kids with diabetes to follow dietary recommendations and get nutrients from a variety of foods, and parents must teach their kids at an early age about making healthy food substitutions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Food Guidelines

Making Healthy Food Choices

Reading Food Labels

ADA Nutrition Recommendations

101 Tips for Raising Healthy Kids With Diabetes