October 29, 2002
Weight and Weight Loss
Question from Sagamore Hills, Ohio, USA:
My niece, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes approximately six months ago, lost about 18 pounds before they determined what was wrong, and now her weight has gone the other way. The doctors recommended the diet they give everyone, but said nothing about how a person can lose weight and still eat a healthy low carb diet. She is extremely active and exercises all the time while walking around a campus all day. What can she do to control her weight gain?
Answer:
Individual consultation with a Registered Dietitian/Certified Diabetes Educator is the most appropriate resource for your niece. This healthcare professional will determine appropriate caloric intake to achieve weight management goals, while assisting in the balance of carbohydrate intake and insulin therapy.
Initialization of insulin therapy in a person with type 1 diabetes does not have to mean unwanted weight gain. Balancing caloric intake with caloric expenditure is required to avoid this. Your niece should express her weight management goals to her physician and request a referral to a Registered Dietitian/CDE.
DMW
