A follow-up study of the diet of Finnish diabetic adolescents.

Changes with age and time in energy-adjusted food consumption and nutrient intake of 74 diabetic subjects initially aged 12-17 years were studied. Food consumption was measured by the 48-h recall method. During the three-year follow-up (from 1985 to 1988), the proportion of carbohydrate of total energy intake decreased from 49% to 47%, that of fat increased from 33% to 36% and that of protein decreased slightly. The densities of fibre and several vitamins decreased in the diet of the diabetic adolescents. These unfavourable changes in the diet of diabetic adolescents took place with increasing age and duration of diabetes, while virtually no changes with time were detected.