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Insulin-Related Disordered Eating Behaviour: A Scoping Review of Evidence
Amy Shelford1, Paul E Jenkins2, Kate Harvey2
1School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Whiteknights Campus, RG6 6ES, Reading, England. a.shelford@pgr.reading.ac.uk.
Current Diabetes Reports
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Understanding of insulin misuse in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is limited. This review highlights inconsistent measures and a need for broader research to inform effective interventions for disordered eating behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Psychiatry
- Eating Disorders
Background:
- Insulin misuse in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an emerging concern.
- Current understanding is hampered by inconsistent terminology and measurement tools.
- Prevalence and characteristics of individuals engaging in this behavior remain unclear, hindering intervention development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review of existing literature on insulin-related disordered eating behaviors.
- To identify knowledge gaps and inconsistencies in terminology, measurement, and understanding of the phenomenon.
- To inform future research and intervention strategies for T1D management.
Main Methods:
- Systematic search for studies investigating individuals with T1D misusing insulin for disordered eating motivations.
- Data charting included study aims, sample characteristics, measurement tools, and key findings.
- Scoping review methodology to synthesize current knowledge.
Main Results:
- Studies predominantly focused on adolescent females in Western countries.
- A wide variety of measurement tools were used, with limited validation.
- Inconsistent prevalence estimates and models of behavior development were reported.
- Identity and social relationships emerged as significant factors in behavior maintenance and recovery.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need to improve the validity and generalizability of measurement tools for insulin misuse in T1D.
- Research should expand to include diverse populations (e.g., males, non-Western cultures).
- Interventions targeting identity and social relationships may be beneficial for addressing insulin-related disordered eating behaviors.
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