Eating disorders are common among women and girls in the general population; however, those with type 1 are around twice as likely to suffer from disordered eating patterns. These can include inappropriate dieting for weight loss, binge eating, or purging through vomiting, laxative or diuretic use, excessive exercise, or insulin restriction. This final behavior is specific to type 1 diabetes and can be extremely dangerous.
Women with type 1 diabetes and eating disorders have, on average, A1Cs that are 2% higher than those without eating disorders. People with type 1 diabetes who have diagnosable eating disorders tend to have higher rates of diabetes distress and fear of hypoglycemia. Hospitalization rates, emergency room visits, neuropathy, retinopathy, and the risk of premature death are also elevated in women with eating disorders.