In a nutshell
This article looks at common heart disease risk factors among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), with special attention paid to the metabolic syndrome. It concludes that adolescents with T1DM have a tendency to have large waistlines and high blood pressure, both of which put them at risk for heart disease later in life.
Some background
Increasing attention is being paid to body types and fat distribution patterns in certain diseases. Metabolic syndrome (MSy) is a group of metabolic risk factors that increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease. These risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, high blood sugar and high belly fat (waist circumference).
Methods & findings
412 Italian adolescents with T1DM, aged 16 to 19, took part in the study. 9.5% of them had all the risk factors included in the MSy, particularly the girls. The most common risk factor in girls was high belly fat (20%), while high blood pressure was more common in boys (25%). Most adolescents with MSy were overweight or obese and received higher daily doses of insulin.
The bottom line
In summary, adolescents with T1DM and MSy appear to be at greater risk for heart disease later in life. Girls with T1DM were more likely to have MSy, which most often appeared as a large waistline. The most common risk factors that led to MSy were being overweight and higher daily doses of insulin.
The fine print
MSy is considered a leading cause for diabetes and heart disease. Most of the available data on MSy comes from the medical literature. Long term effects of this syndrome in children and adolescents are still being studied.
What’s next?
Ask your doctor about checking the cholesterol levels, blood pressure and waistline for your child with T1DM. Talk with your doctor about an appropriate active daily lifestyle as well as a diabetic diet for your child.
Published By :
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Date :
Feb 13, 2012
