Overweight among children and adolescent with type I diabetes mellitus: prevalence and associated factors

OBJECTIVES: Describe the overweight frequency (overweight and obesity) and identify the factors associated with this in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) treated at a University Children’s Hospital in Rio de Janeiro. METHODS: This is an analytical cross-sectional study, which included patients diagnosed with T1DM who had complete anthropometric data (weight and height) and excluded those using drugs with effect on weight gain, genetic syndromes, celiac disease, hypothyroidism, renal failure and other chronic diseases, and pregnant women. The data collection was referring to the last consultation, and with respect to laboratory tests, the most recent data was collected. The dependent variable was the overweight, defined as Z score ≥1. The independent variables were gender, age, insulin dose, duration of disease, lipid profile, glycated hemoglobin, type of prescribed food planning, and place of residence. A logistic regression model was built for each outcome studied, considering significant associations those with p < 0.05. RESULTS: The study included 195 patients with a mean age of 10.6 (±3.8) years, and 49.7 % (n = 97) aged less than 10 years. The overweight frequency was 40 % (n = 78). The age ≥10 years (OR 0.41; 95 % CI 0.20–0.86; p = 0.019) and the dose of insulin/kg ideal weight (OR 3.38; 95 % CI 1:55–7:39; p = 0.002) were considered the variables associated with overweight. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of overweight, which explains strategies for promoting healthy eating habits and changing lifestyle with a focus on children and adolescents with diabetes.