Mediterranean Diet Improves Type 1 Diabetes Control in Young Population, finds study

A recent study found the potential benefits of the Mediterranean diet (MD) for youths with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). The findings of this study were published in the recent edition of BMC Endocrine Disorders.

This study conducted at İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty Hospital focused on T1DM patients of 6 to 18 years to investigate the correlation between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and metabolic control, as well as body composition. The findings provide strong evidence for the positive impact of dietary habits on diabetes management among children and adolescents.

This research analyzed various demographic variables, anthropometric measurements, body composition and biochemical parameters like triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, AST, ALT and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). The study utilized continuous glucose monitoring to assess the time in range (TIR) of participants and employed the KIDMED questionnaire to evaluate adherence to the MD.

The results of the study revealed a clear association between adherence to the MD and improved health outcomes among T1DM youths. The patients with good adherence to the MD expressed larger height standard deviation scores (SDS) when compared to the participants with poor adherence. Also, poor adherence to the MD was linked to higher body fat percentages by highlighting the significant impact of dietary choices on body composition.

The positive correlation between TIR and KIDMED score indicated that adherence to the MD was associated with better glycemic control. Moreover, adherence to the MD was found to be negatively correlated with HbA1c levels for long-term blood sugar control. The regression analysis further confirmed the relationship by suggesting that each one-point increase in the KIDMED score led to a significant reduction in HbA1c levels.

The study emphasized the importance of raising awareness among children, adolescents with T1DM and their parents about the potential benefits of adhering to the Mediterranean diet. This can empower patients to take control of their diabetes management and improve overall health outcomes by promoting dietary habits that align with the principles of the MD. Overall, this study underlines the crucial role of nutrition in diabetes management and also highlights the potential of the Mediterranean diet as a valuable tool in effectively managing T1DM among youth.

Reference:

Güneş Kaya, D., Arslan, N., Ayyıldız, F., Bayramoğlu, E., Turan, H., & Ercan, O. (2024). The potential of the Mediterranean diet to improve metabolic control and body composition in youths with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. In BMC Endocrine Disorders (Vol. 24, Issue 1). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-024-01593-6