Abstract
Current technology commonly utilized in diabetes care includes continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps. One often overlooked critical component to the human glucose response is daily physical activity habits. Consumer-based activity monitors may be a valid way for clinics to collect physical activity data, but whether or not children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) would wear them or use the associated mobile application is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of implementing a consumer-based accelerometer directly into ongoing care for adolescents managing T1D. Methods: Adolescents with T1D were invited to participate in this study and instructed to wear a mobile physical activity monitor while also completing a diet log for a minimum of 3 days. Clinical compliance was defined as the number of participants who were compliant with all measures while also having adequate glucose recordings using either a CGM, insulin pump, or on the diet log. Feasibility was defined as >50% of the total sample reaching clinical compliance. Results: A total of 57 children and teenagers between the ages of 7 and 19 agreed to participate in this study and were included in the final analysis. Chi-square results indicated significant compliance for activity tracking (p < 0.001), diet logs (p = 0.04), and overall clinical compliance (p = 0.04). Conclusion: More than half the children in this study were compliant for both activity monitoring and diet logs. This indicates that it is feasible for children with T1D to wear a consumer-based activity monitor while also recording their diet for a minimum of three days.
Highlights
With overwhelming evidence supporting the value of daily physical activity [1], healthcare providers educate their patients that staying physically active improves cardiovascular health, increases insulin sensitivity, and improves mental health among many other benefits
Clinical compliance was defined as the number of participants who were compliant with all measures while having adequate glucose recordings using either a continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pump, or on the diet log
When looking at clinical compliance, there were a total of 36 participants (63%) who completed both on the same days in which they wore their CGM, or recorded glucose numbers on the diet log (Table 2)
Summary
With overwhelming evidence supporting the value of daily physical activity [1], healthcare providers educate their patients that staying physically active improves cardiovascular health, increases insulin sensitivity, and improves mental health among many other benefits. Obtaining verifiably accurate activity data from patients has been difficult, with most providers relying on self-reported times and individual perceptions of activity degree (i.e., moderate vs vigorous) [3,5]. Whether or not it would be feasible to incorporate data from a physical activity monitor for patient management into standard practice is unknown. Utilizing this technology would provide healthcare providers with accurate activity data and improve specific time and activity level counseling. To continue to explore the range of activity associated with health in children, studies involving accelerometers could provide valid and reliable measurements for household and sedentary behaviors that often go under-reported when
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
