Researchers looked at 21 studies to understand why people with type 1 diabetes sometimes develop unhealthy eating habits. They found that many people skip insulin doses, binge eat, or restrict food to cope with their diabetes or feel better about their bodies. The studies show these eating problems aren’t just about food—they’re ways people try to handle the stress and challenges of managing diabetes every day. Feeling sad, worrying about weight, and having high blood sugar levels are all connected to these eating struggles. Understanding these patterns helps doctors and nurses better support people with diabetes.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How often people with type 1 diabetes develop unhealthy eating behaviors and what causes them
  • Who participated: This review looked at 21 published research studies about people with type 1 diabetes and eating problems. The studies included people of different ages dealing with diabetes management.
  • Key finding: Many people with type 1 diabetes use food and eating in unhealthy ways—like skipping insulin, overeating, or eating too little—as a way to cope with stress, control their weight, or feel better emotionally.
  • What it means for you: If you have type 1 diabetes and struggle with eating, you’re not alone, and it’s not a personal failure. These behaviors are often a sign that you need extra support managing both diabetes and emotions. Talking to your doctor or a counselor who understands diabetes can help.

The Research Details

This is a scoping review, which means researchers searched through published studies to map out what we know about a topic. The team looked at four different sources of information and searched for studies published up to January 2024. They used special computer software to analyze the words and themes across all the studies they found, looking for patterns in how people talk about eating problems and diabetes. This approach helps researchers see the big picture of what’s been studied rather than testing something new themselves.

A scoping review is useful because it gathers all the existing research in one place, showing what we know and what we still need to learn. By looking at 21 different studies together, researchers can spot common patterns that might not be obvious from just one study. This helps doctors understand that eating problems in diabetes aren’t simple—they involve emotions, body image, and how people cope with a lifelong condition.

This review followed strict guidelines (JBI and PRISMA) that help ensure the research is organized and thorough. The researchers used computer analysis to find patterns in the studies, which reduces human bias. However, because this reviews other studies rather than collecting new data, the quality depends on the studies they found. The review is recent (2025) and looks at current research.

What the Results Show

The research found three main unhealthy eating behaviors in people with type 1 diabetes: skipping or reducing insulin doses, binge eating (eating large amounts quickly), and restricting food intake. These behaviors were common enough across studies to show this is a real problem affecting many people. The studies showed that people often use these eating behaviors as a way to cope—similar to how someone might use other unhealthy habits to deal with stress. Skipping insulin is particularly concerning because it directly affects blood sugar control and health. The research suggests these aren’t traditional eating disorders but rather ways people try to manage the emotional and physical demands of living with diabetes.

The review found several things connected to these eating problems: feeling sad or depressed, worrying about body image and weight, having high blood sugar levels (measured by HbA1c), and having diabetes complications. People who felt worse about their bodies were more likely to have eating problems. Those with higher blood sugar levels and more complications also showed more unhealthy eating behaviors. This suggests that eating problems and diabetes control create a difficult cycle—poor eating habits lead to worse blood sugar, which causes more stress, which leads to more unhealthy eating.

This review builds on earlier research by showing that eating problems in diabetes are different from traditional eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia. Instead of being purely about food and body image, these behaviors are coping strategies for managing a chronic illness. The research confirms what doctors have suspected: that emotional health, diabetes management, and eating behaviors are all connected and need to be treated together.

This review only looked at studies that were already published, so it might miss important information from unpublished research. The studies reviewed used different methods and measured things differently, making it hard to compare results directly. The review doesn’t tell us exactly how many people have these problems because different studies measured prevalence differently. More research is needed to understand how to best help people with these issues.

The Bottom Line

If you have type 1 diabetes and struggle with eating, talk to your healthcare team about it. Ask for a referral to a counselor or therapist who understands both diabetes and eating behaviors. Work with a diabetes educator and dietitian who can help you manage food and insulin together. These recommendations have moderate confidence because they’re based on patterns across multiple studies, though more research on treatments is needed.

People with type 1 diabetes who struggle with eating should definitely pay attention to this. Parents and caregivers of young people with diabetes should watch for signs of eating problems. Healthcare providers treating diabetes should screen for eating issues. People with traditional eating disorders should know that diabetes makes things more complicated and needs special care.

Getting better takes time. You might notice small improvements in how you feel within weeks of getting support, but meaningful changes in eating habits and blood sugar control usually take months. Long-term benefits—like better health and fewer complications—develop over years of consistent management.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track three things daily: insulin doses taken, meals eaten (with portion sizes), and mood/stress level (1-10 scale). Look for patterns between stress and eating behaviors to identify your personal triggers.
  • Set a daily reminder to check in with yourself: ‘Am I eating/not eating because I’m hungry, or because I’m stressed/sad about diabetes?’ Use the app to log this awareness. Over time, noticing the difference helps you choose healthier coping strategies.
  • Weekly, review your insulin, eating, and mood logs together. Share patterns with your healthcare team. Track HbA1c levels every 3 months to see how eating behaviors affect blood sugar. Use the app to celebrate small wins and identify when you need extra support.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have type 1 diabetes and are struggling with eating behaviors, please speak with your doctor, diabetes educator, or a mental health professional. Skipping insulin or restricting food can be dangerous and cause serious health complications. This review summarizes existing research but does not provide treatment recommendations specific to your situation. Always consult with your healthcare team before making changes to your diabetes management or eating habits.