ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabetes management is often challenging during adolescence, and many youth with type 1 diabetes struggle with sustained and optimal continuous glucose monitor (CGM) use. Due to racial oppression and racially discriminatory policies leading to inequitable access to quality healthcare and life necessities, racially minoritized youth are significantly less likely to use CGM. METHODS: ROUTE-T1D: Research on Optimizing the Use of Technology with Education is a pilot behavioral intervention designed to promote optimal CGM use among racially minoritized youth with type 1 diabetes. Intervention strategies include problem solving CGM challenges and promoting positive caregiver-youth communication related to CGM data. RESULTS: This randomized waitlist intervention provides participants with access to three telemedicine sessions with a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. Caregiver participants are also connected with a peer-parent coach. CONCLUSION: Hypothesized findings and anticipated challenges are discussed. Future directions regarding sustaining and optimizing the use of diabetes technology among racially minoritized pediatric populations are reviewed.
Subject(s)
Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 , Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Blood Glucose/analysis , Caregivers/education , Caregivers/psychology , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/therapy , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/psychology , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Patient Education as Topic/organization & administration , Pilot Projects , TelemedicineABSTRACT
For older adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with type 1 diabetes, successful transition from pediatric to adult diabetes care requires ongoing planning and support. Yet, the transition to adult care is not always smooth. Some AYAs struggle to leave pediatric care or experience significant gaps between pediatric and adult diabetes care. The use of diabetes-specific transition readiness assessments can inform transition planning and support successful preparation for adult care. This study evaluated transition readiness in a diverse sample of AYAs nearing transition to adult diabetes care. Findings suggest that AYAs may benefit from additional preparation and education related to sexual health, tobacco use, and diabetes complications.
ABSTRACT
Many adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) engage in weight management behaviors (i.e., trying to lose weight), and efforts to manage weight may impact glycemic control. We assessed objective/subjective weight status and weight management behaviors in a diverse sample of 76 AYAs with T1D, and examined differences in sociodemographic characteristics and A1c levels by the following categories: (1) Overweight BMI/weight management (n = 21), (2) overweight BMI/no weight management (n = 6), (3) in/below-range BMI/weight management (n = 25), (4) in/below-range BMI/no weight management (n = 24). Subjective overweight status was more common among late adolescents and females; female gender was associated with weight management behaviors. AYAs endorsing weight management behaviors evidenced higher A1c values than those who did not. Clinicians working with AYAs should be aware of associations among weight management and glycemic indicators and routinely screen for weight management behaviors. Future research should explore interventions to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors among AYAs.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 , Overweight , Humans , Adolescent , Female , Young Adult , Overweight/complications , Overweight/therapy , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/therapy , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/complications , Glycated Hemoglobin , Health Behavior , Body Mass IndexABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review provides a recent update of behavioral research pertinent to young children with T1D and addresses current priorities and future directions. RECENT FINDINGS: Rates of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in young children (ages 1-7) are continuing to rise. Since 2014, changes to diabetes care and management have impacted young children and reinforced the need for increased attention and interventions to support diabetes management, especially in caregivers who are primarily responsible for their young child's diabetes management. T1D is associated with unique physiologic challenges in young children, with constant management demands elevating parental diabetes-related stress and fear of hypoglycemia. Diabetes technology use has significantly increased in young children, contributing to improvements in glycemic levels and parent and child psychosocial functioning. Yet despite the positive outcomes demonstrated in select clinical behavioral interventions, research with this young child age group remains limited in scope and quantity.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 , Hypoglycemia , Behavioral Research , Caregivers/psychology , Child , Child, Preschool , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/psychology , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/therapy , Humans , Infant , Parents/psychologyABSTRACT
Young adults with diabetes assume increasing responsibility for communicating with their health care providers, and engaging in high-quality health communication is an integral component of overall diabetes self-management. This article provides an overview of the main features of health communication, factors that may influence communication quality, interventions to promote communication skills, and practical strategies for clinicians working with young adults with diabetes. The review concludes with a comprehensive summary of future directions for health communication research.
