4.13.4.0 Disordered Eating Behavior
Recommendations
4.23 Providers should consider reevaluating the treatment regimen of people with diabetes who present with symptoms of disordered eating behavior, an eating disorder, or disrupted patterns of eating. B
4.24 Consider screening for disordered or disrupted eating using validated screening measures when hyperglycemia and weight loss are unexplained based on self-reported behaviors related to medication dosing, meal plan, and physical activity. In addition, a review of the medical regimen is recommended to identify potential treatment-related effects on hunger/ caloric intake. B
Estimated prevalence of disordered eating behaviors and diagnosable eating disorders in people with diabetes varies (102–104). For people with type 1 diabetes, insulin omission causing glycosuria in order to lose weight is the most commonly reported disordered eating behavior (105,106); in people with type 2 diabetes, bingeing (excessive food intake with an accompanying sense of loss of control) is most commonly reported. For people with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin, intentional omission is also frequently reported (107). People with diabetes and diagnosable eating disorders have high rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders (108). People with type 1 diabetes and eating disorders have high rates of diabetes distress and fear of hypoglycemia (109). When evaluating symptoms of disordered or disrupted eating in people with diabetes, etiology and motivation for the behavior should be considered (104,110). Adjunctive medication such as glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (111) may help individuals not only to meet glycemic targets but also to regulate hunger and food intake, thus having the potential to reduce uncontrollable hunger and bulimic symptoms.