Diabulimia is an eating disorder characterized by the decrease or ommitance of insulin shots for diabetics. Many diabetics experience weight gain when they begin taking insulin shots. This is because the body suddenly has a way to uptake blood glucose, and converts some into energy. The rest is converted into long term energy storage (fat). This is why new insulin users experience this weight gain. As a result, some diabetics will lower their dose, or stop using insulin altogether. From this, they will experience a quick weight loss, generally 2-4lbs over a week. However, when they go back to using full doses they will experience a weight gain as fast as the weight loss. Moreover, switching back and forth between high and low glucose levels in the blood/rapid weight changes can cause long term health problems.

The causes of diabulimia are similar to those of other eating disorders such as bulimia. This unhealthy desire to be thin is often the result of portrayals of “perfect” bodies in the media. These eating disorders particularly affect women, and quickly go from a desire to lose weight, to an unhealthy obsession with it. Other external factors that may promote eating disorders include jobs/activities that encourage skinniness (ie ballet, modelling), childhood psychological trauma, and pressure from others. However, environmental factors, such as media portrayals, are not the sole causes of eating disorders. Genetics, irregular hormone function, and nutritional deficiencies are often the perpetrators of such illnesses (Ekern, 2017).

As mentioned above, diabulimia (like many eating disorders) mainly affects women, and those who compete in high level sports or in industries that promote a certain body type. Diabulimia has noticeable symptoms because it is characterized not only by an ignorance of diabetes treatment, but also rapid weight changes. For diabetics, failure to regularly supplement their insulin can lead to increased HDL cholesterol, higher blood pressure, retinopathy, and kidney failure. However, it can also lead to weight loss, which is the draw for diabulimics.

Similar to many eating disorders, diabulimia can be treated by therapy, prescription drugs, diet plans, and regimented insulin intake. All eating disorders can be overcome with commitment to wellness and support from family and doctors.

Citations

Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, PHD, Joan Patterson, PHD, Alison Mellin, PHD, Diann M. Ackard, PHD,Jennifer Utter, MPH, Mary Story, PHD and Joseph Sockalosky, MD. (August, 2002). Weight Control Practices and Disordered Eating Behaviors Among Adolescent Females and Males With Type 1 Diabetes. Retrieved from http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/25/8/1289

Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC. (May, 2017). Eating Disorders: Causes, Symptoms, Signs & Treatment Help. Retrieved from: https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/information/eating-disorder#Causes-of-Eating-Disorders

http://www.joslin.org/info/why_did_i_gain_weight_when_i_started_taking_insulin.html