1160-P: Low-Calorie Sweeteners and Quality of Life in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Background: Low calorie sweeteners (LCSs) are often used by youth with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), as LCS can provide added sweetness to food and beverages at a reduced glycemic load. Whether LCS consumption is helpful or harmful for T1D management among youth is debated; however, little attention has been given to potential benefits of LCS consumption on psychosocial outcomes among youth with T1D. This is important because a diabetes diagnosis pervades all aspects of a child's life and LCS use may provide children with T1D with a sense of normalcy, potentially increasing their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Objective: To examine associations between LCS consumption and HRQOL among youth with T1D. Methods: Sixty youth ages 11-17 with a diagnosis of T1D (Mage 12.9±1.8, 57.1% female, 70% Non-Hispanic White) and their parents (83.3% female, 71.6% Non-Hispanic White) were recruited from the Washington Nationals Diabetes Care Complex at Children's National Hospital (DCC) in Washington D.C. (N=20) and nationally using social media (N=40). Eligible youth and their parent attended a virtual study visit, where they provided demographic information, and completed a LCS consumption questionnaire (developed by the team for a previous study), along with the validated Type 1 Diabetes and Life measure (T1DAL). Means and frequencies were used to summarize the survey data, as appropriate, and associations between LCS intake and HRQOL were examined using multivariable linear regression, with adjustment for relevant covariates. Results: Mean LCS consumption was 3.3±2.8 servings per day. No associations between LCS consumption (total, LCS beverage consumption, LCS food consumption) and HRQOL (total and subscales) were observed. Conclusion: In our sample of youth with T1D, LCS intake was not associated with HRQOL. These results demonstrate that LCS use may not benefit psychosocial outcomes of youth with T1D, further reiterating the need to determine their metabolic and health effects in this high-risk patient population. Disclosure H.R.Moore: None. M.Fagundes grilo: None. N.Vallone: None. F.R.Cogen: None. R.Streisand: None. A.Sylvetsky: Consultant; Abbott. Funding Milken Institute School of Public Health