Prevalence of food addiction and its association with ghrelin and metabolic parameters in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study


Şahin M. F., KÜÇÜKSARAÇ KIYICI D. S., SIĞIRLI D., Karaca S.

BMC endocrine disorders, cilt.26, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 26 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1186/s12902-026-02401-z
  • Dergi Adı: BMC endocrine disorders
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Food addiction, Ghrelin, Metabolic control, Obesity, Psychosocial factors, Type 1 diabetes mellitus
  • Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of food addiction (FA) in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and examine its associations with serum ghrelin levels and metabolic control parameters. METHODS: The study included 160 patients with a median age of 32.0 years (range: 19.0-60.0), of whom 51.3% (n = 82) were female. After recording anthropometric measurements, sociodemographic data, medical histories, and detailed physical examinations were obtained. Following an 8-hour fasting period, venous blood samples were collected to measure serum ghrelin levels and biochemical parameters. Serum ghrelin levels were assessed using the ELISA method. FA was evaluated using the modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0). RESULTS: FA prevalence was 25.6% (n = 41). The FA group had higher median BMI (p = 0.047), while monthly income, diabetes duration, and insulin pump use were lower (p = 0.025, p = 0.009, and p = 0.046, respectively). Age, gender, education, and metabolic control indicators (HbA1c, lipids) were similar between groups. Serum ghrelin levels did not differ based on FA status. However, ghrelin showed modest negative correlations with BMI (r=-0.171; p = 0.030), waist circumference (r=-0.256; p = 0.001), and triglycerides (r=-0.168; p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the prevalence of FA is observed at considerable rates among patients with T1DM. Although no significant differences were observed in metabolic control parameters between patients with and without FA, the FA group exhibited a modestly higher BMI, suggesting a potential association between addiction-like eating behavior and adiposity in adults with T1DM. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.