A new report released today highlights the psychological, wellbeing and quality of life issues facing young Australians with type 1 diabetes and their parents.

This is the first, large national Australian survey of its kind focused on how young people with diabetes (and their parents) feel about and manage the condition as they transition through childhood into adulthood.

“The Diabetes MILES Youth report was funded by the National Diabetes Services
Scheme” said Prof Greg Johnson, CEO of Diabetes Australia “and key findings were
that one in four young people aged 13–19 years’ experience moderate to severe
symptoms of anxiety and depression, and girls were more likely to report severe
symptoms”.

“While two out of three young people report good quality of life, 18% felt they often have too much responsibility for their diabetes care. The most common issue for girls was ‘worrying about their weight’ whereas boys were most concerned about ‘friends and family not understanding how difficult living with diabetes can be,’” said Prof Johnson. “Around one in three young people with diabetes are known to need mental health support and 30–40% of young people with type 1 diabetes are “lost in
transition” from paediatric to adult diabetes care”.