We're all aware of the pressure that comes from society to look good and achieve the ideal body image, but how far would you go to achieve perfection? One of the latest trends among young girls is to skip their insulin shots to lose weight.It is becoming a growing concern, according to Dr. Denis Daneman, head of pediatrics at the Hospital for Sick Children in Canada. In his 2001 study, he found that one out of four diabetic girls had an eating disorder compared to 10 percent of the non-diabetic subjects.
Also, as these girls get older, it becomes easier to skip insulin shots since their parents can't monitor them as closely. The study showed that 35% of the girls, aged 16-22 years old, admitted to not taking insulin for the purpose of weight loss. Some of these young girls were experiencing eye damage, and damage to the nerves and kidneys were not far behind.
Remember that health and safety come before body image. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Wendy,BSc.DTR
Nutrition Specialist
“Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
Labels: diabetes
Comment: February 18, 2008 4:03 PM - 
said...
it would be pretty difficult to argue against what is written in this article without being socially irresponsible...i enjoy being politically incorrect but one should always be socially responsible...skipping an insulin shot is obviously the wrong thing to do, if you care about life..i agree with the author.
Comment: February 19, 2008 9:22 AM - said...
I would say this article was directed to girls who are insulin-dependent diabetics, and feel as though girls who are not are thinner than they are, and so they feel they must forego their shot at the risk of their health. Today's fashion trends do not make it easy for any girl. More needs to be done to promote healthy lifestyles.
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