Diabetes in girls presents special risk factors as women are at particular risk of certain complications. Since the 1990s there has been a 10-fold increase in the number of cases of type 2 diabetes in adolescents, possibly due to increased rates of obesity. In 2003 the International Diabetes Federation Consensus declared an “epidemic” of obesity, lack of exercise, and insulin resistance syndrome (IRS). The prevalence of obesity among adolescents in 1999-2000 was 15.3% ages 6-11 and 15.5% ages 12-19. Of particular concern is the relationship between childhood obesity and the onset of insulin resistance in adulthood. There are about 61,500 girls under 20 in the U.S. with type 1 diabetes with most diabetic teenage girls (10-19 years old) suffering from type 1. By the age of 20, 40-60% of people with diabetes will have retinopathy, with girls at the highest risk of the most severe form.
Symptoms of Diabetes in Teenage Girls
Diabetes symptoms in teenage girls depend on the type. The fist type 1 diabetes symptoms are usually excessive urination and thirst, ketoacidosis, hyperglycemia, thrush, fatigue, blurry vision, yeast infection, weight loss, and increased hunger. Type 2 diabetes shares many symptoms with type 1 differing on yeast infections and ketoacidosis. In addition slowed healing and a skin condition called acanthosis nigricans are common symptoms of type 2. In girls insulin resistance can also cause polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can lead to irregular periods, hair growth, and fertility problems.
Warning Signs of Diabetes in Young Girls
Eating disorders have been reported in adolescent diabetics, particularly binge eating, however many adolescent girls and women have begun to take too little insulin in order to lose weight. The disorder, coined diabulimia, carries extremely high risks such early onset retinopathy. By not taking insulin or taking insufficient amounts, cells have no access to glucose in the blood causing the body to break down energy stored in fat leading to ketoacidosis. Most teens on insulin treatment gain an average of 10 pounds as their bodies regain access to glucose. It is hypothesized that the strict control over diet and the need to constantly monitor blood glucose levels can create an unhealthy relationship with food, leading to eating disorders. Several studies have found that adolescent girls with diabetes were twice as likely to develop an eating disorder. Signs of diabulimia include: increased appetite without weight gain, hyperglycemia, low energy, frequent urination, un-explained weight loss, and signs of ketoacidosis. The complexity of the two diseases together makes traditional methods of counseling for eating disorders difficult. Joel Jahraus, M.D. of the Eating Disorders Institute (EDI) suggest people with diabulimia work with a dietician, endocrinologist, and psychiatrist.
