Background: The young female health initiative (YFHI) is a prospective, longitudinal study of health behaviours and lifestyle choices in young women. Women with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have additional challenges associated with having a chronic disease. This condition may impact health behaviour as they transition from late adolescence to early adulthood.
Aim: To assess the impact of T1DM in young females on lifestyle, behaviour, physical and mental health.
Method: Women with T1DM aged 16-25 living in Victoria were prospectively recruited, mainly via specialist diabetes clinic referrals. Subjects completed extensive validated health questionnaires (including diet, body image, mental health) online plus diabetes-specific categorical questions and disease impact on lifestyle aspirations. General health and behaviour questions were also completed by an age-matched cohort without diabetes (the YFHI cohort). Frequencies were calculated for diabetes-specific questions and differences were analysed by Fishers exact test (significance p value <0.05).
Results: Of 20 women with T1DM recruited, 19 completed the survey. Baseline characteristics: age 22.25 ± 2.36 years; duration of diabetes 7.3 ± 5.05 (IQR=7.5) years; BMI 25.29 ± 5.72. No differences in general behaviour questions were observed compared with the control group (n=294). Diabetes-related questions suggested high levels of concern about the future, specifically worry regarding having children (64.8%), finances (84.3%) and long term employment prospects (73.7%). Many facets of life were perceived to have been better without diabetes including appearance (73.7%), physical capabilities, (78.6%), ability to travel (89.5%), dietary freedom (84%) and overall quality of life (89.5%). Chronic disease burnout was a strong theme.
Conclusion: Young women with T1DM self-perceive significant lifestyle limitation secondary to their chronic disease. This may impact on their social and health-related behaviours and consequently on their present and future wellbeing. Further research and consideration of intervention strategies are required.
Acknowledgement: Support from a competitive Novo Nordisk project grant.