In puberty not only the mood fluctuates, but also the metabolism. The “double construction site” of puberty and type 1 diabetes therefore poses an enormous challenge for everyone involved. Not least because the risk of heavy weight gain for patients in this phase is particularly high.
Intensive training, also with regard to risky behavior, makes sense from the age of 13 at the latest, when young people may try alcohol. “This can lead to prolonged hypoglycemia after up to twelve hours,” says Sabine Hofer from the Austrian Society for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (ÖGKJ).
During this time, those affected could also develop eating disorders, which can lead to dangerous metabolic imbalances. “Because of their diabetes, those affected have to deal more with their diet and their weight. This can increase the risk of eating disorders in susceptible adolescents,” says Hofer. In addition to binge eating, intentional starvation, the use of laxatives and diuretics and excessive sport, some adolescents would also not take the vital insulin, or in insufficient doses, in order to lose weight. In these cases, the glucose is excreted through the kidneys, which is referred to as “renal vomiting.”
Often too much fat consumption
Adolescents with type 1 diabetes often forego carbohydrate intake and overlook the fact that their fat consumption is far too high – weight gain is the result. If nutrition training is not sufficient to master dealing with diabetes, children and young people in Austria can take advantage of rehabilitation, for example in the “Leuwaldhof” in St. Veit im Pongau. There they receive extensive multidisciplinary care. (bar)
Further information at www.kinderaerzte-im-netz.at
Source: Nachrichten
