Disordered Eating in Type 1 Diabetes: What a New Spanish Study Reveals

A large study of Spanish adults with Type 1 diabetes found that nearly one in three screened positive for disordered eating behaviors. Women, those with higher blood sugar levels, and people reporting poorer health faced the greatest risk.

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Key takeaways

About 32% of adults with Type 1 diabetes in this study screened positive for disordered eating behaviors, compared to lower rates in the general population
Women with Type 1 diabetes were more than twice as likely as men to screen positive for these behaviors
More than one-third of participants reported restricting insulin as a way to manage weight, a practice that can be dangerous
Higher blood sugar levels and higher body mass index were independently linked to disordered eating behaviors
The connection between diabetes management and eating concerns highlights a need for integrated mental and physical health support

Why This Matters

People living with Type 1 diabetes face a unique challenge: managing both their weight and their blood sugar through insulin use. This dual demand can sometimes lead to unhealthy eating patterns or behaviors aimed at controlling body weight. Understanding how common these behaviors are—and who is most affected—helps healthcare providers identify and support people who need help.

A new study from Spain, part of the D1ANAS project, surveyed 451 adults with Type 1 diabetes to learn more about disordered eating behaviors and the factors connected to them.

What the Study Found

Researchers used a validated screening tool called the Diabetes Eating Problems Survey-Revised (DEPS-R) to identify disordered eating behaviors. About 32% of participants screened positive, meaning they showed signs of concerning eating patterns.

Women were significantly more affected than men: 35.4% of women screened positive compared to 14.8% of men. Additionally, 36.6% of all participants reported restricting their insulin as a way to manage their weight—a behavior that occurred equally in both sexes.

The study also identified several factors independently linked to higher risk. These included female sex, higher HbA1c levels (a measure of average blood sugar over time), higher body mass index, and poorer perceived health.

What It Means for Diabetes Care

The findings underscore that disordered eating is more common in people with Type 1 diabetes than in the general population. The connection between blood sugar control and eating behaviors suggests that these issues are deeply intertwined with diabetes management itself.

Insulin restriction is particularly concerning because it can lead to high blood sugar levels and increase the risk of complications. Yet the study shows it is a widespread practice, highlighting that some people with Type 1 diabetes may be struggling to balance weight concerns with safe insulin use.

These results point to the importance of mental health and nutrition support alongside standard diabetes care. Healthcare teams that address eating concerns, body image, and the emotional aspects of diabetes management may help people achieve better overall health outcomes.

About This Study

This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Spain involving adults age 16 and older with Type 1 diabetes. Participants completed online questionnaires about their demographics, health, lifestyle, and eating behaviors. Researchers then used statistical analysis to identify which factors were independently associated with disordered eating patterns.

The study was published in Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews in July 2026.

Evidence label

Source: Diabetes/metabolism research and reviews. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.

Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.

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