In a multi-center study of young people with diabetes, results reveal that fewer than half of children and young adults who took part in the study were able to meet the current dietary recommendations for
particular nutrients. This potentially makes treatment and management of their diabetes much more difficult and complicated.
The research was conducted by the University of South Carolina which looked into the nutrient intakes of nearly 1,700 10- to 22-year-olds who have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes for at least 12 months. The researchers have found that less than half of the participants met the
current dietary recommendations for total fat, vitamin E, fiber, fruits, vegetables and grains, although a majority met recommendations for vitamin C, calcium and iron.
The dietary recommendations for youth with diabetes, according to the researchers, are based on strong scientific evidence regarding intake of
specific nutrients and foods in relation to physiologic health outcomes. This include appropriate growth and development through adolescent years and optimizing metabolic status. The researchers have expressed urgency for further studies to better understand the barriers to healthful dietary habits and to identify effective approaches to improving dietary intake in youth with diabetes.
