Nutritional myths in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: a pilot study
Abstract Background The global prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is steadily increasing, particularly among children and young adults. Health-related myths can significantly influence patients’ dietary behaviors and treatment adherence, thereby compromising disease management and metabol...
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2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01115-0 |
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| author | Didem Gunes Kaya Sabriye Arslan Emine Yassıbaş Feride Ayyıldız Elvan Bayramoglu Hande Turan Olcay Evliyaoglu |
| author_facet | Didem Gunes Kaya Sabriye Arslan Emine Yassıbaş Feride Ayyıldız Elvan Bayramoglu Hande Turan Olcay Evliyaoglu |
| author_sort | Didem Gunes Kaya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The global prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is steadily increasing, particularly among children and young adults. Health-related myths can significantly influence patients’ dietary behaviors and treatment adherence, thereby compromising disease management and metabolic outcomes. Methods This cross-sectional study included 190 adolescents and young adults with T1DM attending a pediatric endocrinology outpatient clinic. Data on demographics, BMI, HbA1c values, and nutrition-related myths were collected through face-to-face interviews. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and Spearman correlation coefficients, were performed using SPSS 22.0 software. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of metabolic control status (p < 0.05). Results Participants had a mean diabetes duration of 7.5 ± 4.63 years, with a mean HbA1c of 7.9 ± 1.44%. Approximately 27.0% of adolescents and 20.0% of young adults were overweight or obese. Only 29.0% of individuals had good metabolic control (HbA1c <%7), while 71.0% had HbA1c ≥ 7. An increase in diabetes duration was found to elevate the risk of poor metabolic control by 1.107 times, whereas a higher total number of answers was associated with a 0.696-fold decrease in this risk (p < 0.05). Conclusion Improved knowledge about nutrition myths is associated with better metabolic control among adolescents and young adults with T1DM. Structured education programs tailored to this population may contribute to improved glycemic outcomes. A multidisciplinary team approach is essential to effectively deliver educational content and reinforce evidence-based dietary practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b347ffa07b834d8cb1696ae5ac1e941e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2055-0928 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-b347ffa07b834d8cb1696ae5ac1e941e2025-08-20T04:01:53ZengBMCBMC Nutrition2055-09282025-07-011111810.1186/s40795-025-01115-0Nutritional myths in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: a pilot studyDidem Gunes Kaya0Sabriye Arslan1Emine Yassıbaş2Feride Ayyıldız3Elvan Bayramoglu4Hande Turan5Olcay Evliyaoglu6Istanbul University Cerrahpasa-Cerrahpasa Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Gazi UniversityDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Gazi UniversityDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Gazi UniversityPediatric Endocrinology, Istanbul University Cerrahpasa-Cerrahpasa Faculty of MedicinePediatric Endocrinology, Istanbul University Cerrahpasa-Cerrahpasa Faculty of MedicinePediatric Endocrinology, Istanbul University Cerrahpasa-Cerrahpasa Faculty of MedicineAbstract Background The global prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is steadily increasing, particularly among children and young adults. Health-related myths can significantly influence patients’ dietary behaviors and treatment adherence, thereby compromising disease management and metabolic outcomes. Methods This cross-sectional study included 190 adolescents and young adults with T1DM attending a pediatric endocrinology outpatient clinic. Data on demographics, BMI, HbA1c values, and nutrition-related myths were collected through face-to-face interviews. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and Spearman correlation coefficients, were performed using SPSS 22.0 software. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of metabolic control status (p < 0.05). Results Participants had a mean diabetes duration of 7.5 ± 4.63 years, with a mean HbA1c of 7.9 ± 1.44%. Approximately 27.0% of adolescents and 20.0% of young adults were overweight or obese. Only 29.0% of individuals had good metabolic control (HbA1c <%7), while 71.0% had HbA1c ≥ 7. An increase in diabetes duration was found to elevate the risk of poor metabolic control by 1.107 times, whereas a higher total number of answers was associated with a 0.696-fold decrease in this risk (p < 0.05). Conclusion Improved knowledge about nutrition myths is associated with better metabolic control among adolescents and young adults with T1DM. Structured education programs tailored to this population may contribute to improved glycemic outcomes. A multidisciplinary team approach is essential to effectively deliver educational content and reinforce evidence-based dietary practices.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01115-0Type 1 diabetesMythAdolescentYoung adultMetabolic control |
| spellingShingle | Didem Gunes Kaya Sabriye Arslan Emine Yassıbaş Feride Ayyıldız Elvan Bayramoglu Hande Turan Olcay Evliyaoglu Nutritional myths in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: a pilot study BMC Nutrition Type 1 diabetes Myth Adolescent Young adult Metabolic control |
| title | Nutritional myths in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: a pilot study |
| title_full | Nutritional myths in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: a pilot study |
| title_fullStr | Nutritional myths in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: a pilot study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nutritional myths in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: a pilot study |
| title_short | Nutritional myths in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: a pilot study |
| title_sort | nutritional myths in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes a pilot study |
| topic | Type 1 diabetes Myth Adolescent Young adult Metabolic control |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01115-0 |
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