Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

Which statement is not a finding of studies focused on eating disorders in women with type 1 diabetes who restrict insulin to avoid weight gain?

1. Withholding insulin to prevent weight gain is associated with problems in other diabetes self-care areas

2. Withholding insulin to prevent weight gain is associated with higher levels of diabetes-specific stress

3. Those who withheld insulin to prevent weight gain have higher mortality risk

4. Women with shorter diabetes duration are more likely to restrict insulin than those with longer diabetes duration

The correct answer is: Women with shorter diabetes duration are more likely to restrict insulin than those with longer diabetes duration

The statement regarding women with shorter diabetes duration being more likely to restrict insulin than those with longer diabetes duration is not supported by the findings in studies focused on this population. Research indicates that individuals who have lived longer with diabetes may develop more complex relationships with their condition, including their understanding of insulin's role in managing diabetes and weight. In contrast, the other statements highlight well-documented findings. Withholding insulin as a means of avoiding weight gain is known to lead to various issues in diabetes management, including poor control of blood glucose levels and complications related to self-care routines. Additionally, studies have shown that this behavior can result in heightened diabetes-specific stress, as patients grapple with the consequences of both their eating disorder and the management of diabetes. There's also evidence suggesting that individuals who engage in this behavior face an increased risk of mortality, emphasizing the severe health implications associated with insulin restriction for weight management. Overall, the nuanced understanding of insulin’s role in diabetes control in relation to weight concerns tends to grow with longer diabetes duration, making the last statement unique in lacking supportive evidence.