Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab 2010;54(3):319-325
Relationship between nutrition factors and glycemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus
DOI: 10.1590/S0004-27302010000300011
OBJECTIVE: To identify nutritional factors that affected the glycemic control of the studied population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred forty-six children and adolescents, aged 7 to 19 years, followed-up at the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology of the Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais participated in the study.The diet of each participant was evaluated by means of a Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire, previously validated in a pilot-project. Glycemic control was assessed through the average of HbA1c results obtained six months prior to date of diet evaluation. RESULTS: Diets with high protein content, less saturated fats, and lower glycemic index (GI)/glycemic load (GL) had a positive effect on glycemic control. The consumption of sucrose and of free snacks provided by the school had a negative influence on glycemic control. CONCLUSION: The consumption of nutritionally adequate and low GI/GL diets favored glycemic control of the studied population.