Date of Award:

5-1985

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences

Department name when degree awarded

Nutrition and Food Sciences

Committee Chair(s)

Barbara Prater

Committee

Barbara Prater

Committee

Noreen Schvaneveldt

Committee

Bonita Wyse

Committee

Donald Sisson

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe a sample of insulin-dependent diabetic youth in terms of selected anthropometric measurements, level of metabolic control and dietary intake. The 22 subjects (10 males and 12 females) were between the ages of seven to 16 years and, except for one female, regularly attended a multidisciplinary outpatient diabetes clinic.

The study involved cross-sectional observation of height, weight, triceps and subscapular skinfold measurements, mid-arm muscle circumference and weight:height ratios, and comparison of these measurements to national norms derived from non-diabetic controls. Levels of metabolic control were observed using glycosylated hemoglobin values, and examined for effect on anthropometric parameters. It was found that the group generally fell within normal distribution patterns for all growth parameters when compared to control data. Level of metabolic control, duration of diabetes and age at onset of disease had no significant effect on the anthropometric parameters studied. Duration of diabetes had no effect on level of metabolic control.

The study group consumed most nutrients in amounts consistent with the 1980 Recommended Dietary Allowances, with the exception of vitamin B6, folacin, iron and zinc. Consumption of total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol were in excess of the current recommendations for diet in diabetes, and proportion of total energy from carbohydrate tended to be lower than recommended. Mean intakes of vitamins A, C, B6 and B12, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium and protein appeared to be higher than mean intakes of the same nutrients reported from the Nationwide Food Consumption Survey (1977-78) and the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1976-80) for corresponding age groups. It was suggested that since young diabetic individuals usually have close supervision of their dietary intake, their intakes are somewhat superior nutritionally than those of non-diabetic individuals.

The study sample reported use of a number of special dietetic foods other than dietetic soda and sucrose-substitutes. Foods used for treatment of hypoglycemic reactions included candy, fruit and juices, regular pop, frosting and special glucose preparations designed specifically for use with insulin-dependent diabetes.

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