Impact of Flash Blood Glucose Monitoring on Eating Behaviour in T1DM
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Impact of Flash Blood Glucose Monitoring on Eating Behaviour and Relationship with Food for Adults with Type 1 Diabetes
IRAS ID
299070
Contact name
Jennifer Heath
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hertfordshire
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
n/a, n/a
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
This study will explore the experiences of adults with Type 1 diabetes using the FreeStyle Libre sensor. The FreeStyle Libre is a disc worn on the arm for 14 days, designed largely to replace the recommended daily 4-10 finger-stick blood glucose tests required for the self-management of diabetes.Research on the FreeStyle Libre has primarily focused on its utility and accuracy, however its impact on eating behaviour and the individual’s relationship to food has received little attention. Literature suggests changes in diabetes management methods can cause changes in food beliefs and behaviours, and some individuals with diabetes are at greater risk of developing disordered eating behaviours than those without diabetes. Increasing the knowledge of risk factors for disordered eating in the context of diabetes management is therefore an important area of investigation.
Up to 15 participants will be recruited from North Bedfordshire Adult Diabetes Service, to take part in individual semi-structured interviews (approximately 60-90 minutes) with Tamara. Participants will be invited to talk about their experiences of using the FreeStyle Libre sensor and their relationship with food and eating. The interview will be conducted over the telephone or using remote video technology, on Zoom, Webex, or MSTeams, as per security and data protection measures provided by the University and the NHS Trust. Routinely collected clinical questionnaire data will also be analysed to explore diabetes-related distress.
This study is supported by the University of Hertfordshire in collaboration with North Bedfordshire Adult Diabetes Service at Bedford Hospital. As this study is part of a Doctoral qualification, there are time limits to the project and therefore is anticipated to be completed by June 2022, and submitted for publication to peer-reviewed journals soon after.
Summary of Results
The FreeStyle Libre (FSL) Flash Glucose Monitor is a device worn by individuals with diabetes to measure their blood sugar levels. It was designed to replace finger-prick testing. Very little research on the FSL has explored the psychological impact of using the device, for example how it impacts the user’s emotional wellbeing. People with diabetes have to pay attention to their diet and food intake in order to manage the diabetes, so gaining a better understanding of how wearing the FSL influences the users’ thoughts and feelings about food and eating is an important area.This study used mixed methods to explore adults with type 1 diabetes’ experience of the FSL in relation to its impact on their eating behaviour and relationship with food. Fifteen FSL users took part in individual semi-structured interviews. The researcher analysed the interview transcripts and constructed four main themes: Personal Food Story, New Opportunities, Body as a Machine and Re-evaluating Diabetes, to capture users’ experiences.
Questionnaire data from the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) questionnaire was collected from a large sample of adults with type 1 diabetes who were using the FSL. The questionnaire data was analysed, followed by consideration of the questionnaire items in comparison to the themes constructed from the interview data. The researcher highlighted the ways in which the PAID questionnaire captured and did not capture FSL users’ eating behaviours and relationship with food following FSL use.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
21/NI/0118
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jul 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion