Overweight and Obesity in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes: What is Known?

Abstract

Obesity is a modifiable risk factor for poor health outcomes including cardiovascular disease (CVD). A trend for elevated body weight in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) compared to the general population is clearly evident. This trend is pronounced in teenage girls with T1D and increases with age. Teenage boys with T1D more closely resemble the population norms for overweight and obesity. Given that individuals with T1D are at an increased risk of early CVD related morbidity and mortality, early weight management intervention could potentially improve CVD outcomes. Further investigation of mechanisms of weight gain in T1D is required to inform interventions.