Diabetes stigma tied to food insecurity, disordered eating and lower psychosocial well-being in diabetes patients: Study

Key findings in the study are:

• One thousand six hundred eight respondents completed the diabetes-related stigma survey.
• 78% had type 1 diabetes with a mean age of 21.7 years.
• Higher diabetes stigma scores were associated with food insecurity, disordered eating, depressive symptoms and decreased health-related and diabetes-specific quality of life.
• In those with type 1 diabetes, diabetes-related stigma scores were positively associated with current tobacco use and negatively associated with alcohol use.

Concluding further, Diabetes stigma is associated with food insecurity, disordered eating, and lower psychosocial well-being.

SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study is a multicenter cohort study. This cohort collected questionnaire, laboratory and physical exam data in youth and young adults. These were diagnosed with diabetes in childhood.

The study received funding from the CDC and was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Reference:

Eitel et al. Diabetes stigma and psychosocial outcomes in adolescents and young adults: The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study. Diabetes Care. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc23-1453