ABSTRACT
This chapter considers women with eating disorders and type 1 diabetes (T1DM) to have the same bio-psycho-social risks as women without diabetes. When describing the underlying risks for developing a psychological disorder, the academic community uses what is referred to as a bio-psychosocial model. Psychological risks may include temperament and personality as well as co-occurring psychological disorders. Social risks involve the influence of society at large, the smaller social network/ peer group, and the family. Some of the women spoke about "learning" insulin restriction from well-meaning health professionals, who were probably doing their best to raise awareness and trying to prevent the problem. Growing up in families that over-value thinness and are preoccupied with weight may compound the level of risk of developing an eating disorder. A pattern of strict dieting is consistently cited as an eating disorder risk factor. Several women felt that what they were taught about T1DM and food was restrictive and depriving.
