Dietary patterns of preschool children with type I diabetes

Objective. To evaluate the actual diet of children with type I diabetes in order to develop recommendations for nutrition correction.Materials and methods. An observational study of actual diet of the case-control type was conducted in a group of children with type I diabetes mellitus (DM1; n=47) and a comparison group of conditionally healthy children living in Omsk Oblast (n=43). Actual nutrition was studied by analyzing the frequency of food consumption reported by parents in interviews.Results. The level of energy consumed with food in the group of children with DM1 accounted for 1929 kcal. It corresponded to physiological needs and was consistent with the comparison group. However, consumption of fats was higher than recommended, while that of carbohydrates was, on the contrary, lower. Energy from added sugars and saturated fats was at twice the recommended levels. Protein intake was adequate to physiological needs, but the proportion of animal proteins was greater in the group of children with diabetes. The author noted excessive consumption of fats and shortage of omega-3 fatty acids. The amount of carbohydrates in the diet of children with DM1 was lower than the physiological needs, but did not differ from the comparison group, the consumption of simple sugars was greater in children from the comparison group. There were no differences in consumption of minerals and vitamins, with the exception of vitamin A, which was greater in the diet of children with DM1. The amounts of vitamin A, D, beta-carotene, vitamin B9 and iodine were lower than recommended. An excess of sodium and phosphorus in the diet and calcium imbalance were also revealed.Conclusion. Nutrition of children with type I diabetes is considered to be improper. The nutrition imbalances are similar in both groups. When consumption of carbohydrates is insufficient, an excess of simple sugars is noted. Priority micronutrients for correction are vitamins A and D, folates, iodine.