Does Anorexia Increase The Risk Of Diabetes?

Anorexia or anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterised by an obsessive fear of gaining weight. It is a psychological disorder in which people try to keep their weight as low as possible by not eating enough food, exercising excessively or taking medicines like laxatives and diuretics to stop them from gaining weight. 

Although anorexia is a psychological disorder, it can have grave consequences on physical health. But can it cause diabetes? Let’s find out.   

The Connection Between Diabetes and Anorexia

Many eating disorders like bulimia (or bulimia nervosa) and binge eating disorder (BED) are known to increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, researchers have found that anorexia nervosa is not a risk factor for developing diabetes. 

Nevertheless, diabetes and anorexia do share a close connection. People who already have diabetes are at a high risk of developing anorexia nervosa, especially people with type 1 diabetes. 

The increased attention toward food, eating and weight may become an obsession and lead to anorexia in many people. These people tend to believe they are fat even when they are underweight. Sometimes, they also try to conceal their eating disorder by using diabetes as an excuse or misusing their insulin to lose weight, a condition known as diabulimia.  

Complications of Having Anorexia With Diabetes

Anorexia nervosa can cause severe health consequences in people with diabetes. It can increase their A1C levels, lead to repeated episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis or cause an ongoing condition of hypoglycemia. Therefore, it is essential to recognise the symptoms of anorexia on time and treat the disorder.  

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Anorexia

One of the main signs of anorexia is having a lower weight and height than expected if you are below 18 years of age. In the case of adults, the leading warning sign is having unusually low body mass index or BMI. 

Other signs and symptoms of anorexia include:

• missing meals or eating very little food
• believing you are fat even when you are underweight
• taking medicines to reduce your hunger or lose weight
• absence of menstruation
• facing physical problems like dizziness, hair loss or dry skin
• exercising excessively to lose weight

How To Treat Anorexia?

Treating anorexia on time is essential to prevent life-threatening situations, especially if you have diabetes. The best way is to include your entire healthcare team in your treatment, such as a mental health professional, endocrinologist, nurse educator, nutritionist, etc. As anorexia is a psychological disorder, therapy is essential for treating it.  

On a Final Note

Although anorexia is not a risk factor for developing diabetes, it does share a close connection with diabetes. 

People with diabetes are more likely to develop eating disorders like anorexia. Such eating disorders can have a negative impact on their health and lead to several diabetes complications. Therefore, it is essential to recognise the symptoms of anorexia and get it treated on time. 

References

• https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/anorexia/overview/
• https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/anorexia/symptoms/
• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11892-020-01320-0
• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11892-017-0949-1
• https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/mental-health/eating-disorders
• https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/professionals/diabetes-discoveries-practice/eating-disorders-and-the-patient-with-diabetes