Barriers to healthy behaviors: perspectives from teens with comorbid Type 1 diabetes and overweight/obesity, caregivers, and pediatric endocrinologists

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to understand barriers to engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors among adolescents with comorbid Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and overweight/obesity (n=12), their caregivers (n=12), and pediatric endocrinologists (n=9). Methods: Participants (n 33) completed individual, semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and applied thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Results: Results from adolescents, caregivers, and pediatric endocrinologists revealed three thematic barriers to healthy lifestyle behaviors for adolescents with T1D and overweight/obesity: (1) discomfort with aspects of T1D that draw attention to the self; (2) T1D as a barrier to engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors; and (3) physiological dysregulation due to T1D impacting health behaviors. Conclusions: Results identify perceived limitations to engaging in recommended healthy lifestyle behaviors and diabetes management concurrently. Results may assist research and clinical care in identifying supports and guidance needed to support adolescents in meeting behavioral recommendations for their health.