Background: About 35% of youth in Rhode Island (RI) meet criteria for overweight/obesity (OW/OB). Though previously rare, rates of OW/OB in youth with T1D are reportedly increasing.
Objective: To examine BMI trajectories of youth with T1D in RI from initial diagnosis over 5 years. We hypothesized that BMI would increase after diagnosis, continue to rise over time, and be similar to the general population.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted. Youth ≥5 years old with new onset T1D diagnosed in 2015-2016, followed at least annually for 5 years were included. Linear growth curve models specifying visit date as a random effect were used to assess BMI percentiles and z-scores across time. P<0.05 were considered significant.
Results: Subjects (n=76) were 57.9% male; mean (SD) age at T1D diagnosis=11 (2.9) years. At initial outpatient visit 35.5% had OW/OB, with M:F ratio of 1.4:1. By 2021, 53% had OW/OB, with equal M:F distribution. More males were observed to have obesity in 2021. Mean BMI percentile and z-score per subject per year increased gradually over time (p <0.001).
Conclusion: Youth with T1D in RI experienced a steady increase in BMI over time and within 5 years of T1D diagnosis. Males were more likely to have obesity 5 years after diagnosis. The combination of T1D with OW/OB compounds the risks for metabolic syndrome. Targeted interventions to address OW/OB in these youths are needed, as are further studies of glycemic trajectory and clinical course.
A.Ganta: None. P.Has: None. J.Warnick: None. L.Swartz topor: None.
