Young children with type 1 diabetes tend to have adequate dietary intake of most micronutrients, according to results of a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. However, carbohydrate and caloric intake may be too low, possibly because their diet plans are out of step with their age.

“Diet is an important component of the management of type 1 diabetes and may be central to achieving optimal health outcomes,” Dr. Susana R. Patton, of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and colleagues write. “The goal of conventional dietary management in type 1 diabetes is to consume a well-balanced, nutritionally adequate diet with insulin dose matched to carbohydrate intake to achieve blood (sugar levels) as close to normal as possible.”

In the current study, the researchers examined the diet and diet adherence of 33 young children with type 1 diabetes. Three-day diet diaries were used to measure the children’s nutrient and caloric intake, and the team evaluated associations between dietary adherence and sugar control.

The children’s daily intake of vitamin B-12 and calcium were below minimum Dietary Reference Intake levels, but other micronutrients were at or above minimum levels.

The children had better-than-predicted adherence to the number and timing of meals per day and the number of carbohydrate units consumed per meal. However, total daily carbohydrate intake was only 80 percent of recommended levels based on age and weight, and total daily caloric intake was only 78 percent of the recommended levels based on age.

“Because of rapid growth during the pre-school years, this finding suggests that young children with type 1 diabetes may need closer follow-up by registered dietitians to ensure that children’s individualized diet plans are modified appropriately as they grow,” Patton’s team advises.

They add that further research is needed to evaluate these children’s sugar control using several factors, including diet adherence, insulin treatment, activity levels, and their families’ psychosocial functioning.

SOURCE: Journal of the American Dietetic Association, January 2007.