Dietary Behaviors Predict Glycemic Control in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between dietary adherence and glycemic control among youth with type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 119 youth aged 9-14 years (mean +/- SD 12.1 +/- 1.6 years) with diabetes duration > or =1 year (5.4 +/- 3.1 years). Dietary adherence was assessed using the Diabetes Self-Management Profile diet domain. Higher score defined greater dietary adherence. Glycemic control was determined by A1C. RESULTS Dietary adherence score was inversely correlated with A1C (r = -0.36, P < 0.0001). In a multivariate model (R(2) = 0.34, P < 0.0001), dietary adherence (P = 0.004), pump use (P = 0.03), and caregiver education (P = 0.01) were associated with A1C. A1C of youth in the lowest (9.0%) tertile of diet score was higher than A1C of youth in the middle (8.1%, P = 0.004) and upper (8.4%, P = 0.06) tertiles. Dietary adherence uniquely explained 8% of the variance in A1C in the model. CONCLUSIONS Greater dietary adherence was associated with lower A1C among youth with type 1 diabetes.