The first large study of dietary practices in children with type 1 diabetes has concluded that the children - and their parents - much prefer the flexibility of the newer approaches to eating, with instructions based on the food pyramid and an emphasis on low glycemic index (GI) foods.

Nearly 100 children were studied over a 12-month period in Australia. They followed either a traditional measured carbohydrate exchange diet or a more flexible low-glycemic index diet. The researchers found:

• Significantly better HbA1c levels in the low GI diet group (8.05% vs 8.61%)
• Significantly lower rates of excessive hyperglycemia in the low-GI group (35% vs 66%)
• No differences in insulin dose or injection routines
• No differences in hypoglycemic episodes

Quality of life was improved for those in the low-GI group, too. Twice as many parents in this group stated that their child had no difficulties in selecting their own meals by the end of the study period. Almost twice as many parents reported that diabetes never limited the types of activities the family pursued and that diabetes had not been a source of tension or conflict within the family.

Related information Lifestyle - Diet | Nutrition and Fitness channel | Special Issues - Children & Teens