Prevalence and biopsychosocial factors associated with overweight and obesity in adults with type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND

To describe the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adults living with type 1 diabetes and examine the association between biopsychosocial factors according to weight status.

METHODS

A single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted in adults with type 1 diabetes attending a tertiary hospital between 2018 and 2020. Participants completed an online survey with validated questionnaires to assess physical activity; measure anxiety and depression; evaluate the perception of health-related quality of life [Spanish version of Diabetes Quality of Life Questionnaire (EsDQoL)], assess eating disorders [Spanish version of Diabetes Eating Problem Survey (EPAD-R)] and measure neuroticism. Sociodemographic data and information from the last outpatient visit regarding diabetes history, long-term complications, current insulin therapy, anthropometric measurements and laboratory data were also included.

RESULTS

Data from 459 surveys were available for analysis. Participants had a mean (SD) of age of 44.7 (14.0) years; 55.6% were women; BMI 26.0 (4.7) kg/m2 and the HbA1c was 7.57%. The prevalence of overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) was 38.8% and 14.8%, respectively, with 10.6% being class I (30-34.9 kg/m2), 2.2% class II (35-39.9 kg/m2) and 2.0% class III (>40 kg/m2). Older age, living with a child/children, a higher EPAD-R score, a higher total insulin doses, receiving lipid-lowering therapy, and a higher EsDQoL score in the diabetes-related worries dimension were associated with a greater likelihood of living with obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Overweight and obesity are highly prevalent among adults living with type 1 diabetes, and the identified biopsychosocial factors reveals how excess weight arises from complex interactions among demographic, clinical, and psychological influences.