Eating habits of children and adolescents with diabetes in Libreville (Gabon)

AIM:
The nutritional intake required for normal growth and development is similar among children with diabetes and healthy children. Nonetheless, for children with diabetes, food intake must also be correlated with their insulin treatment plan and level of physical activity. The objective of this work was to identify the eating habits of the children and adolescents followed in the National Diabetes Center in Libreville.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
This prospective survey was conducted from November 1, 2008, through January 30, 2009, at the National Diabetes Center of the Libreville Hospital Center.

RESULTS:
During the study period, 21 children and adolescents were treated at our center. The sex ratio was 1:1, and the mean age was 14.7 years. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 18.5 kg/m². Mean age at diagnosis was 9.6 years. All the children received insulin; two had two injections daily and the other 19 (90.4%), three a day. Three children never ate breakfast; 17 "often" drank some milk, and 18 ate some bread. Twenty children "often" ate a starch and chicken at lunch, five others "often" had vegetables then. Healthy planned snacks were not eaten by 57% of the subjects, although 24% reported "nibbling" between meals "sometimes". In addition to water, 67% of the patients drank diet Coke.

CONCLUSION:
Few children complied with the diet strictly, because their families could not afford to buy all the recommended food. Effective access to appropriate local food is essential. All patients should discuss their preferred foods with the doctor or dietician, so that their insulin treatment can be adapted appropriately to the food.