Eating disorders and adolescent diabetes: is there a link?

Issues commonly associated with normal adolescent development can affect the management of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and similarities between psychosocial issues relating to diabetes and eating disorders have been suggested. This article discusses the issues and the problematic coexistence of eating disorders and diabetes in adolescence. The aetiology of eating disorders is multifactorial, and this article explored whether the existence of diabetes in adolescence potentially increases susceptibility to the development of eating disorders. Finally, the authors suggest ways in which paediatric nurses can approach the care of adolescents with coexisting diabetes and eating disorder