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Beyond metabolism: nutrition, sleep, and psychological wellbeing in children with insulin resistance—a case-control study

30 March 2026

Demircioğlu Evla, Pehlivan Merve

Summary

  1. Plain-language summary of what the study found This study revealed that children and adolescents (ages 10-18) with insulin resistance not only exhibit poorer dietary habits, higher body fat, and increased calorie intake, but also experience significantly worse sleep quality and higher levels of depression compared to their healthy peers. The findings emphasize that managing insulin resistance in youth requires a holistic approach that extends beyond just diet and metabolism.

  2. Key findings

    • Children with insulin resistance had significantly higher body weights, BMI, waist circumference, and body fat percentages.
    • Their diets were higher in total energy, carbohydrates, protein, fats (including saturated and polyunsaturated), and cholesterol.
    • They consumed poorer quality diets, scoring lower on measures of Mediterranean diet adherence and beneficial plant compound intake.
    • Children with insulin resistance reported significantly poorer sleep quality and higher scores on a depression inventory.

  3. Practical takeaways for someone interested in nutrition and longevity

    • Holistic Health is Key: For young people at risk of or with insulin resistance, focus on comprehensive lifestyle interventions that go beyond just diet.
    • Prioritize Diet Quality: Emphasize a balanced, plant-rich diet, like the Mediterranean diet, to improve overall nutrient intake and reduce reliance on energy-dense, less nutritious foods.
    • Value Sleep: Recognize that adequate, good-quality sleep is crucial for metabolic health and mood regulation. Establish healthy sleep routines.
    • Address Mental Well-being: Be aware of the strong link between metabolic health and psychological well-being. Seek support for mental health concerns like depression, as they can impact overall health outcomes.

  4. Study limitations The study involved a relatively small number of participants (60 children), which may limit the broad generalizability of its findings. Additionally, as a case-control study, it can identify associations but cannot definitively prove cause-and-effect relationships.

Abstract

Objective In this study, it was aimed to compare the nutritional status, sleep quality, and depression levels of children between the ages of 10–18 who were diagnosed with insulin resistance with their healthy peers. Methods A total of 60 children, including children diagnosed with insulin resistance (case) and healthy children (control), were included in the study. Children's demographic information, dietary habits, physical activity status, biochemical findings, and two-day dietary intake records were taken, and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) were applied to the children. Results A comparison of the case and control groups revealed that the children in the case group showed significantly higher body weights, BMI means (kg/m 2 ), waist circumferences (cm), body fat ratios (%), and BMI z-score according to age compared to the control group ( p < 0.05). A subsequent analysis revealed that the energy (kcal), carbohydrate (g), protein (g), fat (g), saturated fatty acids (g), polyunsaturated fatty acids (g), and cholesterol (mg) intakes of the children in the case group were statistically significantly higher compared to the children in the control group ( p < 0.05). The mean KIDMED and Dietary Phytochemical Index (DPI) scores of the children in the control group were significantly higher than those in the case group ( p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) score ( p > 0.05). A statistically significant difference in mean PSQI and CDI scores was observed between the case and control groups ( p < 0.05). Conclusion In addition to the nutritional status of children with insulin resistance, it is very important to carefully address, monitor, and improve their sleep quality and depression levels.
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