The aim of this study was to evaluate possible nutritional, anthropometric and biochemical differences between diabetic children and adolescents and a non-diabetic control group attended at the HC-UFMG, by a multi-disciplinary team of pediatric endocrinologists. Both groups were equivalent regarding age, sex and socio economic status, monthly family income, degree of education, weight, stature, body mass index (BMI); the weight/age, heigth /age and weight/heigth ratios were also verified. Total cholesterol and its fractions, triglycerides and glycosylated hemoglobin were measured in both groups. No significant differences were found in mean weight and height, BMI, weight/age, heigth/age and weight/heigth ratios, between the two groups. The diabetic group showed a lower height/age ratio when analyzed on the 10th percentile. Half of the patients had poor metabolic control, demonstrated by elevated levels of glycohemoglobin. Total and fractions of cholesterol were significantly elevated in the diabetic group (p<0,0001), while triglycerides and VLDL were borderline significant, as compared to controls. However, no correlation was found between time of diagnosis and length in the diabetic group. In conclusion, the diabetic group had higher levels of cholesterol (total and fractions) than controls, except for VLDL and triglycerides. Although the study was conducted by a multidisciplinary team, half of diabetics had a poor metabolic control.
Type 1 diabetes; Nutritional evaluation; Anthropometric indices
