Diabetes experts warn misuse of monitors could lead to eating disorders

A new narrative review by researchers at University College London and Birmingham Children’s Hospital is calling for stricter regulations around people getting and using glucose monitors for purposes other than as part of treatment for diabetes. The study, published in Diabetic Medicine, noted there’s insufficient evidence about the health benefits and how accurate readings are for people without diabetes - and said they could be linked to eating disorders.

It particularly took into account CGM that are attached to the body and monitors blood glucose levels in real-time. For diabetics, this information is transmitted to an insulin pump to ensure it delivers the correct amount of insulin.

For those without diabetes, more products are being offered for non-medical uses such as health, wellness and lifestyle management by giving them “personalised nutrion information”. Senior author and dietitian, Dr Adrian Brown noted: “Some claim to tailor a person’s diet and activity to help keep blood glucose within ‘normal’ levels.

"But what constitutes a normal blood sugar level varies between individuals and in the same individuals at different times, and CGM accuracy varies between CGM models." In fact, it suggested that the monitors may have unintended adverse health effects such as causing anxiety around their readings and whether it is in normal ranges, with researchers noting the possibility of this developing into eating disorders.

The researchers are calling for an international standard and better regulation around the monitors. Co-author John Pemberton, a specialist Paediatric Diabetes Dietitian from Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said regulation is “ambiguous both nationally and internationally” particularly around the accuracy of the machines.

The review concluded that there is little evidence to show how accurate CGMs are at detecting changes in people without diabetes and insufficient research into the value and use of the data it does obtain. However, Dr Brown noted that there are some benefits to the use of CGMs for people without diabetes as it helps them to be more mindful about their diet.