An investigation of the moderating effect of sex on the relationship between diabetes and learning disability

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Diabetes mellitus is a chronic health condition that has been linked to learning problems in prior studies. The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to examine the link between diabetes and learning disability in a sample of youth between the ages of 6 and 17, and 2) to determine if sex moderates the relationship. Using the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health, a total of 720 children and adolescents (360 with diabetes, 360 without diabetes), were matched on age, poverty level, family structure, and race/ethnicity. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) logistic regression model was used. Results indicated that youth with a history of diabetes had higher odds of receiving a diagnosis of learning disability than youth without a history of diabetes. Although sex did not serve as a moderator, the main effect of sex on learning disability was significant. Males had greater odds of having a learning disability than females.