Total Homocysteine, Diet, and Lipid Profiles in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetic and Nondiabetic Adolescents:

Dietary Behavior and Compliance to Bulgarian National Nutrition Guidelines in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes With Longstanding Disease

Introduction

Nutrition education attempts to maintain and enhance good eating habits to achieve optimal metabolic control in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Recommendations for patients with T1D are comparable to those of the general population.

This Study Aimed

To investigate dietary habits and adherence to nutritional recommendations of patients with T1D as compared with age, gender, and BMI matched people in Bulgaria.

Methods

A case-control study included 124 patients with T1D with long disease duration (mean duration 25.3 ± 8.2 years) followed up at a diabetes clinic in Varna, Bulgaria for 2 years (2017-2019) and 59 controls matched for gender, age and BMI. A 24-h dietary recall method was used to assess the nutrition of both groups. A standardized questionnaire was applied to assess the frequency of food consumption (Feel4Diabtes). Height and weight were standardly measured, and BMI was calculated. Findings were compared with Bulgarian recommendations and reference values for energy and nutrient intake for healthy adults. The data were analyzed with the statistical package SPSSv21.0 and Jamovi v.22.5.

Results

The nutritional characteristics of T1D men and women differ. Men with T1D had a higher intake of total carbohydrates (CHO) (p = 0.009), a lower intake of total fats (p = 0.007), and monounsaturated fatty acids (p = 0.029) as a percentage of total daily energy compared with the controls. Women with T1D had a different distribution of energy intake per meal compared to controls: they consumed more energy (p = 0.001) and a corresponding share of CHO for lunch, less for dinner (p = 0.015) and had a higher overall healthy diet score when compared to controls (p = 0.02). Adherence to dietary recommendations (e.g., CHO, total fats, saturated fat, fibers) was low in both genders, but lower in the general population compared to people with T1D.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that people with T1D consume a healthier diet than the general population, which could be attributed to healthier diet awareness, still far from the recommendations. Introduction of annual consultations with a dietitian may improve long-term outcomes.

Dietary Intake and Adherence to the Recommendations for Healthy Eating in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes: A Narrative Review

Background: Medical nutrition therapy is essential for all people with diabetes, of any type or severity. Compliance with the recommended nutrition is an integral part of the treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D). It remains unclear to what extent the dietary intake of patients with type 1 diabetes adheres to the recommendations for healthy eating.

Objective: The primary aim of our study is to collect and analyze published articles on the nutrition of T1D patients in comparison with the general population and recommendations.

Research Strategy and Methods: A literature search for articles, published between January 2006 and July 2021 was conducted, using electronic databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) for all available publications in English and Bulgarian. The process of study selection, identification, screening, eligibility and inclusion followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) recommendations for a flowchart. Based on the keywords search, 425 titles were retrieved, of which 27 were selected based on title and abstract. All papers were crosschecked and reviewed for selection by 3 independent reviewers. As a result, 19 titles were eligible and met inclusion criteria for a full review.

Results: Energy intake tends to be lower in T1D patients or comparable to controls and in most cases within the general recommendations. The percentage of calories from protein is within the recommendations for children, adolescents and adults. Only two studies showed that T1D patients consume significantly less than the recommendation for total fat intake (<35E%). The median intake of carbohydrates is in the lower end of the recommended 45 to 60E%. The median intake of dietary fiber adjusted for total energy is too low for T1D patients and the general population.

Conclusion: Study findings suggested a lack of knowledge or misunderstanding of diabetes dietary management. Patients with T1D, who are being consulted with a dietician as a part of their treatment plan may have better compliance to their recommended diet and as a result, are likely to have better health outcomes. Nutritional therapy should focus not only on glycemic control and pure carbohydrate counting but also on healthy eating and complication prevention.

HbA1c as a Screening tool for Ketosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Ketosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is overlooked due to atypical symptoms. The objective of this study is to evaluate the value of hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c) as a screening tool for ketosis in T2DM patients. This retrospective study consisted of 253 T2DM patients with ketosis at Shanghai 10th People’s Hospital during a period from January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2015. A control group consisted of 221 T2DM patients without ketosis randomly selected from inpatients during the same period. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to examine the sensitivity and specificity of HbA_1c as an indicator for ketosis. Higher HbA_1c levels were correlated with ketosis. In patients with newly diagnosed T2DM, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.832, with 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.754–0.911. The optimal threshold was 10.1% (87 mmol/mol). In patients with previously diagnosed T2DM, the AUC was 0.811 (95% CI: 0.767–0.856), with an optimal threshold of 8.6% (70 mmol/mol). HbA_1c is a potential screening tool for ketosis in patients with T2DM. Ketosis is much more likely with HbA_1c values at ≥10.1% in patients with newly diagnosed T2DM and HbA_1c values at ≥8.6% in patients with previously diagnosed T2DM.

Correlates of poor glycemic control among patients with diabetes initiating hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease

Background

Maintaining tight glycemic control is important for prevention of diabetes-related outcomes in end-stage renal disease patients with diabetes, especially in light of their poor prognosis. This study aimed to determine factors associated with poor glycemic control among U.S. patients with diabetes mellitus initiating hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease.

Methods

Using data from the U.S. Renal Data System, electronic health records of a large national dialysis provider, and U.S. Census data, we performed a cross-sectional multivariable Poisson regression analysis to characterize risk factors associated with poor glycemic control, defined as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) >7 vs. ≤7 %, in adult patients with diabetes who initiated hemodialysis at an outpatient facility between 2006 and 2011.

Results

Of 16,297 patients with diabetes, 21.2 % had HbA1c >7 %. In multivariable analysis, younger patients, patients of Native American race, and those of Hispanic ethnicity had higher prevalence of poor glycemic control. Independent correlates of poor glycemic control further included higher platelet count, white blood cell count, and ferritin; higher body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations; lower HDL and albumin concentrations; lower normalized protein catabolic rate; and higher estimated glomerular filtration rate at initiation of dialysis (all P < 0.05). No independent associations were found with area-level socioeconomic indicators. Occurrence of diabetes in patients <40 years of age, a proxy for type 1 diabetes, was associated with poor HbA1c control compared with that in patients ≥40 years of age, which was classified as type 2 diabetes. These findings were robust to the different outcome definitions of HbA1c >7.5 % and >8 %.

Conclusion

In this cohort of incident end-stage renal disease patients with diabetes, poor glycemic control was independently associated with younger age, Native American race, Hispanic ethnicity, higher body mass index, and clinical risk factors including atherogenic lipoprotein profile, hypertension, inflammation, and markers indicative of malnutrition and a more serious systemic disease.

Pre-germinated brown rice prevents high-fat diet induced hyperglycemia through elevated insulin secretion and glucose metabolism pathway in C57BL/6J strain mice

This study investigated the effect and mechanism of pre-germinated brown rice (PGBR) prevented hyperglycemia in C57BL/6J mice fed high-fat-diet (HFD). Normal six-week-old mice were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 was fed standard-regular-diet (SRD) and group 2 was fed HFD for 16 weeks. In group 3, the mice were fed a HFD with its carbohydrate replaced with PGBR for 16 weeks. Comparing the SRD and HFD groups, we found the HFD group had higher blood pressure, higher concentrations of blood glucose and HbA1c. The HFD group had less protein expression of insulin receptor (IR), insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) and glucokinase (GCK) and greater expression of glucogen synthase kinase (GSK) in skeletal muscle. The HFD group also had less expression of IR, serine/threonine kinase PI3K-linked protein kinase B (Akt/PKB), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), GCK and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in liver. In the HFD + PGBR group, the PGBR could reverse the disorders of blood pressure, blood glucose, HbA1c and increase insulin concentration. PGBR increased the IR, IRS-1, PI3K, Akt, GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 proteins, and ameliorated AMPK, GCK, GSK and PPARγ proteins. Together, PGBR prevented HFD-induced hyperglycemia through improving insulin levels, insulin receptor, glucose transporters and enhancing glucose metabolism.

Disordered eating behaviors are associated with poorer diet quality in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Disordered eating behaviors may pose a risk for poor long-term health outcomes in patients with type 1 diabetes. This cross-sectional study examined associations of disordered eating behaviors with diet quality, diet-related attitudes, and diabetes management in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (N=151, 48% female). Participants, recruited July 2008 through February 2009, completed 3-day diet records and survey measures, including the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey (DEPS) and measures of eating-related attitudes. Biomedical data were obtained from medical records. Participants scoring more than 1 standard deviation above the mean DEPS were classified as at risk for disordered eating. The Healthy Eating Index-2005 was calculated to assess diet quality. Analysis of covariance was used to test for differences between risk groups in diet quality, eating attitudes, and diabetes management, controlling for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) percentile. Youth at risk for disordered eating were more likely to be overweight/obese than those at low risk (59.1% vs 31.8%, P=0.01). The at-risk group had poorer diet quality (P=0.003) as well as higher intake of total fat (P=0.01) and saturated fat (P=0.007) compared with the low-risk group. The at-risk group reported lower self-efficacy (P=0.005), greater barriers (P<0.001), and more negative outcome expectations (P<0.001) for healthful eating, as well as worse dietary satisfaction (P=0.004). The at-risk group had lower diabetes adherence (P<0.01), less-frequent blood glucose monitoring (P<0.002), and higher hemoglobin A1c (P<0.001). The constellation of excess weight, poorer dietary intake, and poorer diabetes management associated with youth at risk for disordered eating suggests potential risk of future poor health outcomes. Attention should be given to healthful weight management, especially among overweight youth with type 1 diabetes.

Multiple indicators of poor diet quality in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes are associated with higher body mass index percentile but not glycemic control

BACKGROUND

Diet is a cornerstone of type 1 diabetes treatment, and poor diet quality may affect glycemic control and other health outcomes. Yet diet quality in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes remains understudied.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate multiple indicators of diet quality in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their associations with hemoglobin A1c and body mass index percentile.

DESIGN

In this cross-sectional study, participants completed 3-day diet records, and data were abstracted from participants' medical records. Diet quality indicators included servings of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains; Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005) score; Nutrient Rich Foods 9.3 score (NRF 9.3); and glycemic index.

PARTICIPANTS/SETTING

Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes ≥ 1 year, aged 8 to 18 years, were recruited at routine clinic visits. Of 291 families enrolled, 252 provided diet data.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES

Associations of diet quality indicators to HbA1c and body mass index percentile were examined using analysis of covariance and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

Participants demonstrated low adherence to dietary guidelines; mean HEI-2005 score was 53.4 ± 11.0 (range = 26.7 to 81.2). Intake of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains was less than half the recommended amount. Almost half of the participants' daily energy intake was derived from refined-grain products, desserts, chips, and sweetened beverages. Higher fruit (P = 0.04) and whole-grain (P = 0.03) intake were associated with lower HbA1c in unadjusted, but not adjusted analyses; vegetable intake, HEI-2005 score, NRF 9.3 score, and glycemic index were not associated with HbA1c. Higher fruit (P = 0.01) and whole-grain (P = 0.04) intake and NRF 9.3 score (P = 0.02), but not other diet quality indicators, were associated with lower body mass index percentile in adjusted analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Data demonstrate poor diet quality in youth with type 1 diabetes and provide support for the importance of diet quality for weight management. Future research on determinants of dietary intake and methods to promote improved diet quality would be useful to inform clinical care.

Association of glycosylated hemoglobin level with lipid ratio and individual lipids in type 2 diabetic patients

OBJECTIVE

To study the correlation of lipid ratios and individual lipid indexes of patients with type 2 diabetes with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)).

METHODS

Samples were collected from 128 type 2 diabetic patients (aged 19-90 years; male 72, female 56). The sera were analyzed for HbA(1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). According to the HbA(1c) level, the patients were divided into three groups, group A (HbA(1c) <7%, n=31), group B (7%≤HbA(1c)≤10%, n=48), and group C (HbA(1c) >10%, n=49). The correlation of HbA(1c) with lipid ratios & individual lipid indexes were analyzed.

RESULTS

With the increased level of HbA(1c), LDL-C had a significantly increasing trend (P<0.05); whereas TC went up with the increased HbA(1c), without any significant differences between three groups. There was no significant correlation between HbA(1c) and TG or HDL-C. With the increased level of HbA(1c), TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C ratios were gradually increased, with significant differences among groups (P<0.05). The lipid ratios, especially LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was more susceptible to impaired lipid metabolism in T2DM patients than individual lipid.

CONCLUSIONS

LDL-C/HDL-C ratio is helpful in assessing and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease caused by impaired lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic patients.

Adherence to diet in youth with type 1 diabetes

This article reviewed current findings on dietary adherence in youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), discussed factors predicting dietary adherence, and presented directions for future research. The included studies involved youth with T1DM, presented dietary adherence data specifically, and/or described usual dietary patterns in youth. Articles that explored predictors had to focus exclusively on dietary adherence. The final sample was 23 articles. Adherence articles were organized into two categories: eating behaviors and macronutrients and dietary recommendations. Rates of adherence to eating behaviors ranged from 21% to 95%. Studies examining macronutrients and dietary recommendations revealed higher than recommended intakes of fat and saturated fat and lower than recommended intakes of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Six studies investigated factors predicting dietary adherence. These studies revealed associations with child behavior problems and knowledge deficits. The available literature identified many youth with T1DM struggling with adherence and not meeting dietary guidelines for their disease. Future research should examine diet in youth exclusively on intensive insulin regimens, community-based predictors of diet, and the influence of mood on dietary adherence.

The evidence for medical nutrition therapy for type 1 and type 2 diabetes in adults

This article reviews the evidence and nutrition practice recommendations from the American Dietetic Association's nutrition practice guidelines for type 1 and type 2 diabetes in adults. The research literature was reviewed to answer nutrition practice questions and resulted in 29 recommendations. Here, we present the recommendations and provide a comprehensive and systematic review of the evidence associated with their development. Major nutrition therapy factors reviewed are carbohydrate (intake, sucrose, non-nutritive sweeteners, glycemic index, and fiber), protein intake, cardiovascular disease, and weight management. Contributing factors to nutrition therapy reviewed are physical activity and glucose monitoring. Based on individualized nutrition therapy client/patient goals and lifestyle changes the client/patient is willing and able to make, registered dietitians can select appropriate interventions based on key recommendations that include consistency in day-to-day carbohydrate intake, adjusting insulin doses to match carbohydrate intake, substitution of sucrose-containing foods, usual protein intake, cardioprotective nutrition interventions, weight management strategies, regular physical activity, and use of self-monitored blood glucose data. The evidence is strong that medical nutrition therapy provided by registered dietitians is an effective and essential therapy in the management of diabetes.

Are children with type 1 diabetes consuming a healthful diet?: a review of the current evidence and strategies for dietary change

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to review the literature on usual dietary intake in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and to discuss approaches to promote dietary change with potential efficacy.

METHODS

Search strategies included a MEDLINE search for English-language articles that estimated usual dietary intake in children with T1D and a screening of the reference lists from original studies. The keywords used were diet, dietary intake, nutrition, type 1 diabetes, children, adolescents, and youth. Studies were included if they were observational, contained a sample of children with T1D, and estimated usual dietary intake.

RESULTS

Nine studies fulfilled the criteria (6 US, 3 European). Of the 4 studies with a control group, 3 reported that both total fat and saturated fat intake were higher in the children with T1D. Six studies examined the percent of total calories from saturated fat; mean intake ranged from 11 to 15%, exceeding ADA recommendations (< 7%). Fruit, vegetable, and fiber intakes were low among children with T1D. No prior studies have addressed dietary change in this population. The behavior-change literature suggests that nutrition education alone is unlikely to be adequate, but that incorporation of behavioral approaches offers potential efficacy in promoting healthful dietary change.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with T1D are not meeting dietary guidelines, and in some areas their diets are less healthful than children without diabetes. As these dietary behaviors may affect the risk of long-term complications, the incorporation of behavioral approaches promoting healthy eating into routine clinical practice is warranted.

Understanding the pathology and mechanisms of type I diabetic bone loss

Type I (T1) diabetes, also called insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), is characterized by little or no insulin production and hyperglycemia. One of the less well known complications of T1-diabetes is bone loss which occurs in humans and animal models. This complication is receiving increased attention because T1-diabetics are living longer due to better therapeutics, and are faced with their existing health concerns being compounded by complications associated with aging, such as osteoporosis. Both male and female, endochondrial and intra-membranous, and axial and appendicular bones are susceptible to T1-diabetic bone loss. Exact mechanisms accounting for T1-diabetic bone loss are not known. Existing data indicate that the bone defect in T1-diabetes is anabolic rather than catabolic, suggesting that anabolic therapeutics may be more effective in preventing bone loss. Potential contributors to T1-diabetic suppression of bone formation are discussed in this review and include: increased marrow adiposity, hyperlipidemia, reduced insulin signaling, hyperglycemia, inflammation, altered adipokine and endocrine factors, increased cell death, and altered metabolism. Differences between T1-diabetic- and age-associated bone loss underlie the importance of condition specific, individualized treatments for osteoporosis. Optimizing therapies that prevent bone loss or restore bone density will allow T1-diabetic patients to live longer with strong healthy bones.

Clinical significance of HbA1c as a marker of circulating lipids in male and female type 2 diabetic patients

Diabetic patients with accompanied (but often unnoticed) dyslipidemia are soft targets of cardiovascular deaths. An early intervention to normalize circulating lipids has been shown to reduce cardiovascular complications and mortality. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) is a routinely used marker for long-term glycemic control. This investigation is an attempt to evaluate the diagnostic value of HbA(1c) in predicting diabetic dyslipidemia. Venous blood samples were collected from 2,220 type 2 diabetic patients (ages, 35-91 years; male/female ratio, 1.07). The sera were analyzed for HbA(1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). The levels of HbA(1c) did not differ significantly between males (8.33 +/- 0.06%) and females (8.47 +/- 0.07%), whereas female patients had significantly higher FBG (10.01 +/- 0.13 mmol/l) than males (9.31 +/- 0.11 mmol/l). HbA(1c) showed direct and significant correlations with cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL and inverse correlation with HDL. Female diabetic patients had significantly higher levels of serum cholesterol (5.42 +/- 0.03 vs. 5.18 +/- 0.03 mmol/l) and HDL (1.32 +/- 0.01 vs. 1.12 +/- 0.01 mmol/l) as compared to males. There was no significant difference in triglycerides and LDL between the two genders. Older patients (>70 years) had significantly lower FBG, cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL. There was a linear and significant increase in triglycerides in the patients of both genders with impaired glycemic control. Both male and female patients with worse glycemic control (HbA(1c) > 9%) had significantly high cholesterol and LDL levels. Serum HDL showed a significant and inverse relationship with uncontrolled hyperglycemia in females but not in males. These findings clearly suggest that HbA(1c) can provide valuable supplementary information about the extent of circulating lipids besides its primary role in monitoring long-term glycemic control. Further studies are warranted to reinforce the potential of HbA(1c) as a biomarker for screening of high-risk diabetic patients.

Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes eat a more atherosclerosis-prone diet than healthy control subjects

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

We evaluated how well the diet of Norwegian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes fulfils the Nordic and European dietary recommendations, focusing on parameters affecting prevention of atherosclerosis. We also compared the diet of this patient group with that of healthy same-age control subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 177 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (9-10-year-olds, 12-13-year-olds) and 1,809 healthy same-age control subjects recorded their food intake for 4 days in precoded food diaries.

RESULTS

In children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes the percentage of energy (E%) from fat (33-35 E%) and saturated fat (14-15 E%) was higher than recommended for that group. Furthermore their intake of fibre was lower (16-19 g/day) than current recommendations. There were no differences in energy intake between diabetic subjects and healthy control subjects. Percentage of energy from fat (mean difference: 3.4 E%, p < 0.001) and saturated fat (mean difference: 1.0 E%, p < 0.001) was significantly higher among diabetic subjects than control subjects. Intake of fruits and vegetables was low (210 g/day) compared with recommendations, both in the diabetic and control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Diabetic children and adolescents had a high intake of energy from saturated fat and low intake of fibre, fruits and vegetables, which could increase the risk of development of atherosclerosis. This study supports the idea that nutritional guidance in the treatment of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes should be more focused, especially with regard to intake of fibre, fruits and vegetables and to quality and quantity of fat intake.