The rising prevalence and increased risks of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adolescents, as evidenced by one in three teenagers having pre diabetes, demonstrates the urgency of investigation into accessible methods for early detection and prevention. Compared to adults, youth T2DM develops more rapidly and is linked to greater consequences. Adolescent girls with obesity are particularly susceptible to beta-cell exhaustion and insulin resistance throughout puberty, demanding the swift identification of metabolic risk factors. We investigated whether hedonic hunger, a psychological sensitivity to food cues measured by the Power of Food scale (PFS), is related to long-term glycemic regulation measured by Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), saturated fat intake, and added sugar intake of girls (ages 8-17). We hypothesized that higher hedonic hunger would be associated with higher glycemic indicators. Our early research shows a weak positive relationship between PFS scores and saturated fat intake but negligible positive association to added sugar intake and HbA1c levels, implying that self-reported hedonic hunger needs further investigation before becoming a non-invasive behavioral predictor of early metabolic risk. While further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and widespread applicability, early identification of behavioral risk factors could help inform T2DM prevention programs in this high-risk population.
