Prevalence of food addiction and its association with ghrelin and metabolic parameters in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of food addiction (FA) in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and examine its associations with serum ghrelin levels and metabolic control parameters.

METHODS

The study included 160 patients with a median age of 32.0 years (range: 19.0-60.0), of whom 51.3% (n = 82) were female. After recording anthropometric measurements, sociodemographic data, medical histories, and detailed physical examinations were obtained. Following an 8-hour fasting period, venous blood samples were collected to measure serum ghrelin levels and biochemical parameters. Serum ghrelin levels were assessed using the ELISA method. FA was evaluated using the modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0).

RESULTS

FA prevalence was 25.6% (n = 41). The FA group had higher median BMI (p = 0.047), while monthly income, diabetes duration, and insulin pump use were lower (p = 0.025, p = 0.009, and p = 0.046, respectively). Age, gender, education, and metabolic control indicators (HbA1c, lipids) were similar between groups. Serum ghrelin levels did not differ based on FA status. However, ghrelin showed modest negative correlations with BMI (r=-0.171; p = 0.030), waist circumference (r=-0.256; p = 0.001), and triglycerides (r=-0.168; p = 0.033).

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that the prevalence of FA is observed at considerable rates among patients with T1DM. Although no significant differences were observed in metabolic control parameters between patients with and without FA, the FA group exhibited a modestly higher BMI, suggesting a potential association between addiction-like eating behavior and adiposity in adults with T1DM.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.