1569-P: Characteristics of Birthing People with Pregestational Diabetes and Disordered Eating Behavior during the Perinatal Period

Introduction and Objective: Women/birthing people living with pregestational diabetes (PGD) face intensive diet, lifestyle and glucose management demands during the perinatal period when the risk of complications is heightened and co-occurring disordered eating behavior (DEB; eg. restriction, binge eating, insulin misuse) may further increase risk. The perinatal period represents a time of increased vulnerability for the development/progression of DEB in this population. However, research examining DEB in this patient population remains limited. This study aims to gain a better understanding of the characteristics of birthing people living with PGD presenting with DEB during the perinatal period. Methods: Online questionnaires were completed by 117 women with type 1 or 2 diabetes (mean age=32.6, SD=4.6) recruited from across Canada who were pregnancy planning, pregnant or had given birth in the past two years. DEB (dependent variable) was assessed using the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey Revised. Sociodemographic characteristics and psychosocial self-report measures (independent variables), including diabetes distress (Diabetes Distress Scale-2) and depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) were compared between DEB status (≤20 no DEB; ≥20 high DEB) using independent samples t-tests and chi-square test. Results: DEB was observed in 23 participants (20%), of which 13 (56%) had type 1 diabetes. The perinatal situation which presented with the highest percentage of DEB was the postpartum period (52%). Participants with elevated DEB scored significantly higher on measures of diabetes distress and depressive symptoms compared to those without DEB (p<.001 for both). Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for increased awareness and early detection of DEB in this patient population. Screening for diabetes distress and depressive symptoms during the perinatal period may allow for early intervention and reduce the risk of DEB among birthing people with PGD, particularly postpartum. Disclosure A. Schifano: None. N. Deville-Stoetzel: None. D. Khoshnafas: None. D. Da Costa: None. Funding Canadian Institute of Health Research (492551)Breakthrough T1D (4-SRA-2023-1407-S-N)