Eating disorders in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The frequency of anorectic/bulimic disturbances in a sample of male and female subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was compared to that of male and female normal controls. The results suggest an overrepresentation of anorexia/bulimia in the female diabetics. Prevalence of eating disorders was determined from the scores on the Eating Attitudes Test. As a group, the female diabetics had significantly (p less than .05) higher scores on the test, suggesting a greater "awareness" of topics related to food and eating. The results are discussed within a risk-factor model, in which insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus may be viewed as one factor in the development of eating disorders.