RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The overall aim of the current study was to qualitatively explore the feasibility of eating disorder prevention groups for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHOD: A generic qualitative focus group design was applied. 17 participants accepted the invitation to attend focus group interviews after completing the intervention. Five focus groups were conducted in total. RESULTS: The qualitative analysis generated one overarching theme, named the benefit of meeting peers with a lived experience of T1D and body image concerns, and four themes: the need for an integrated focus on diabetes, personal relevance, providing sufficient balance between structure and flexibility and enabling a different perspective. CONCLUSION: Results show overall positive feedback regarding the content and structure of the intervention, and underline the importance of targeting preventive efforts to specific risk groups.
Young females with type 1 Diabetes constitute a high-risk group for developing eating problems and eating disorders. Interventions specifically targeted at preventing body image and body dissatisfaction issues in this group are therefore very important. The current study thus aimed to explore participants' experiences with a Diabetes specific version of the targeted prevention program the Body Project, Diabetes Body Project. Participants were invited to attend focus groups interviews after completing the intervention. Results from the study consist of one overarching theme and four themes. Participants highly appreciated the opportunity to meet other young females with type 1 Diabetes, underlining the importance of interventions specifically targeted at this high-risk group. They also emphasized that the script would benefit from a more integrated focus on type 1 Diabetes throughout all six sessions of the intervention.
