Diabulimia – an eating disorder in type 1 diabetes patients
Felix Weber
2026-03-21
4 min. read
Diabulimia – an eating disorder in type 1 diabetes patients
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Individuals aiming to lose weight or improve their dietary habits typically possess extensive knowledge about nutrition, understanding which foods to consume and the appropriate fluid intake, while incorporating physical activity. Additionally, they develop psychological skills that assist in modifying behaviors and maintaining a stable weight over time, minimizing the risk of the yo-yo effect. While such an approach is beneficial for the body, the absence of balance and a sustainable weight loss strategy may lead to undesirable outcomes.
Type I diabetes and insulin
Type I insulin-dependent diabetes was once defined as juvenile because it mainly affects young people between the ages of 14 and 30 years old. It is said to be the most common chronic developmental disease. It's an autoimmune disease because the immune system attacks its own body. It results in the destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas by stimulating the body's immune system, which produces the antibodies responsible for its gradual decline. It leads to insulin resistance, which is responsible for the blood flow of protein, fat, and carbohydrate. It can also cause insulin to develop after the onset of diabetes mellitus.
Diabulimia is playing with insulin
People with diabetes deliberately miss insulin because it can cause weight gain in the kidneys. To avoid this, they give up the drug in order to control the appearance of their body. The problem is mainly young, sick women, and it refers to another eating disorder such as bulimia. It is similar to diseases that lead to weight loss, because in the case of diabetes, glucose is often released naturally through the kidney, and in case of bulimia, it is triggered naturally.