Abstract
Young women with type 1 diabetes mellitus and female athletes are at increased risk for subclinical eating disorders indicated by weight concerns, erratic blood glucose monitoring, altered metabolic control, and premature complications. Amenorrhea, low bone mineral density, and altered dietary intake signal subthreshold disorders in female athletes. Clinicians should be alert to unique methods of purging calories through insulin omission in women with diabetes or through compulsive exercise in athletes. Dietitians play a vital role in screening for eating disorders before dysfunctional behaviors become well established.
EATING DISORDERS are multifaceted, psychiatric illnesses that are characterized by aberrant eating behaviors, disturbed body image, and preoccupation with food, body weight, and shape. Although the etiology of eating disorders is complex and unknown, empirical research suggests bio-psychosocial, genetic, environmental,1 and familial factors2,3 may contribute to their development (for review, see Striegel-Moore and Cachelin.4