The impact of weight management in persons with type 1 diabetes (T1D) from childhood into adulthood is not well described. The purpose of the study is to explore qualitative themes presented by young adults on both weight and T1D management.
We analyzed focus group data from 17 young adults with T1D via inductive qualitative analysis. Major themes were compared to published themes presented by youth with T1D to categorize thematic progression from youth to adulthood.
Themes from young adults with T1D, when compared to youth, are categorized as: unchanged, evolving, and newly reported. Hypoglycemia and a sense of futility around exercise was an unchanged theme. Importance of insulin usage and a need for a healthy personal relationship with T1D evolved to gather greater conviction. Newly reported themes are unique to integration of adulthood into T1D, such as family planning and work-diabetes balance. Young adults also newly reported negative experiences with providers in their younger years and desire for more supportive provider relationships.
A. Addala: None. D. Igudesman: None. A.R. Kahkoska: None. F.R. Muntis: None. K.J. Souris: None. K.J. Whitaker: None. R.E. Pratley: Consultant; Self; Sanofi US. Other Relationship; Self; AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, GlaxoSmithKline plc., Janssen Global Services, LLC., Janssen Research & Development, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Mundipharma, Novo Nordisk Inc., Pfizer Inc., Sanofi, Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc. E. Mayer-Davis: None.