RESEARCH ARTICLE
SA JOURNAL OF DIABETES & VASCULAR DISEASE
16
VOLUME 7 NUMBER 1 • MARCH 2010
Diet-related knowledge and anthropometric
status of children aged six to 10 with type 1
diabetes mellitus in KwaZulu-Natal
KIRTHEE PILLAY, ELENI MAUNDER, KIMESH NAIDOO
Abstract
O
bjectives:
To assess the diet-related knowledge
and anthropometric status of children with
type 1 diabetes.
Methods:
A cross-sectional observational study was
carried out. A total of 30 subjects whose ages ranged
from six to 10 years were included in the study, which
was carried out at the paediatric diabetic clinics at Grey’s
Hospital, Pietermaritzburg and Inkosi Albert Luthuli
Central Hospital (IALCH), Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.
Diet-related knowledge was assessed using a multiple-
choice questionnaire, and anthropometric status was
assessed using height and weight measurements.
Results:
Overall, the sample of patients had a relatively
good diet-related knowledge, as the mean diet-related
knowledge score for the sample was 67%. Subjects
eight years and older had a significantly higher mean
diet-related knowledge score than children under eight
years of age (76 vs 61%). Subjects attending IALCH
(
n
=
22) had a significantly higher mean diet-related
knowledge score than subjects attending the Grey’s
Hospital clinic (
n
=
8) (71 vs 56%). Anthropometric results
were as follows: healthy weight (
n
=
18), underweight
(
n
=
1), overweight (
n
=
2), at risk of overweight (
n
=
9),
stunted (
n
=
4).
Conclusion:
The diet-related knowledge of the sample
was relatively good. The majority of the subjects (60%;
n
=
18) had a healthy weight and a minority (30%;
n
=
9) were at risk of overweight. A few were stunted
(13%;
n
=
4).
Diabetes education for children with type 1 diabetes is an
important part of the overall management of diabetes and
should be provided on an ongoing basis with adequate
support for the growing child. It is also recommended that
diabetes knowledge and skills should be regularly assessed
by the diabetes educator.
1
Inadequate patient knowledge of
dietary management and its consequences can lead to poor
metabolic control and poor compliance with the treatment
regimen.
2
Although knowledge may not predict behaviour,
it is essential for compliance with the treatment regimen
and self-care practices.
2
Given the importance of assessing
diabetes knowledge in children and adolescents with type 1
diabetes,
3,4
there is a surprising lack of research in this area.
2
Studies which have been conducted have reported serious
shortfalls in overall diabetes and diet-related knowledge in
children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
3,5-7
Achieving and maintaining an appropriate body mass index
(BMI) and allowing for normal growth and development are
important aims of nutritional management in children with
type 1 diabetes.
8,9
Although the classical diabetic dwarfism
associatedwithpoorly controlleddiabetes (Mauriac syndrome)
is now rarely seen in westernised countries, impairment of
linear growth is still a commonly seen complication in children
with type 1 diabetes worldwide.
10
Weight management in
childrenwith type 1 diabetes is important, as being overweight
or obese increases the risk of developing insulin resistance
and dyslipidaemia, which increases the risk of cardiovascular
disease (CVD).
11
Successful weight management in children
with type 1 diabetes may be difficult, but it is important to
monitor weight on a regular basis.
11
The importance of regular assessment of diet-related
knowledge and anthropometric status in children with type
1 diabetes is well known but there is a lack of South African
research in this area. The aim of this study was therefore to
assess diet-related knowledge and anthropometric status in
children with type 1 diabetes in KwaZulu-Natal.
Information on dietary intake and metabolic control,
which was gathered at the same time on the same sample
of children, as has been previously reported.
12
No statistical
analyses were carried out to find relationships between dietary
intake and diet-related knowledge, as the dietary intake data
obtained can be regarded as level 1 and 2 data and did not
allow for carrying out correlation or regression analyses.
12
Subjects
This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted on
a total of 30 children between the ages of six and 10 years
Correspondence to: Kirthee Pillay
Dietetics and Human Nutrition, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
Tel: +27 (0) 33 260-5674
Fax: +27 (0) 33 260-6270
e-mail:
Eleni Maunder
1
, Kimesh Naidoo
2
1
Dietetics and Human Nutrition, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
2
Paediatrics and Child Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
S Afr J Diabetes Vasc Dis
2010;
7
: 16–22
