Body composition in adolescent girls with Type 1 diabetes

  1. C-M. Ingberg1,3,
  2. S. Särnblad2,4,*,
  3. M. Palmér1,
  4. E. Schvarcz1,
  5. C. Berne3,
  6. J. Åman2,4

Article first published online: 31 OCT 2003

DOI: 10.1046/j.1464-5491.2003.01055.x

Issue

Diabetic Medicine

Diabetic Medicine

Volume 20, Issue 12, pages 1005–1011, December 2003

Additional Information

How to Cite

Ingberg, C.-M., Särnblad, S., Palmér, M., Schvarcz, E., Berne, C. and Åman, J. (2003), Body composition in adolescent girls with Type 1 diabetes. Diabetic Medicine, 20: 1005–1011. doi: 10.1046/j.1464-5491.2003.01055.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Departments of Internal Medicine and

  2. 2

    Paediatrics, Örebro University Hospital,

  3. 3

    Department of Internal Medicine, and

  4. 4

    Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Sweden

*Correspondence to: Stefan Särnblad, Department of Paediatrics, Örebro University Hospital, S-701 85 Örebro, Sweden. E-mail: stefan.sarnblad@orebroll.se

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 24 NOV 2003
  2. Article first published online: 31 OCT 2003
  3. Accepted 30 April 2003

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Keywords:

  • adolescents;
  • body composition;
  • metabolic control;
  • Type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Aims  To compare body composition in adolescent girls with Type 1 diabetes with healthy controls.

Research design and methods  In this population-based study, body composition was examined, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and skinfold measurements, in 18 adolescent post-menarcheal females, 16–19 years of age, with Type 1 diabetes since childhood in comparison to age-matched healthy control subjects.

Results  Body mass index was 2.7 kg/m2 higher in diabetic patients (26.3 ± 2.6 vs. 23.6 ± 3.8; P < 0.05). The overweight consisted almost entirely of increased fat mass, as evaluated by both skinfold measurements and DXA. Bone mineral density did not differ between the two groups. In diabetic females, the distribution of the fat mass was increased in the upper part of the body. The fat distribution, expressed as the abdominal-to-leg ratio, was significantly correlated to glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (r = 0.69; P < 0.005), daily dosage of insulin expressed per kilogram body weight (r = 0.78; P < 0.0005) and total cholesterol (r = 0.60; P < 0.001).

Conclusions  The observed overweight in adolescent females with Type 1 diabetes is explained by an increased fat mass. Abdominal fat accumulation was associated with poor glycaemic control, increased need for insulin and elevated blood lipids.

Diabet. Med. **, ***–*** (2003)

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