Lifestyle management is a cornerstone of diabetes care. Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is a key point in the management of children and young people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (CYP T1DM).¹ Studies have found that the diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) is associated with improved diabetes knowledge, self-care behaviours and improved quality of life.³ MNT can be used to better understand how dietary factors and choices can influence the progression and the risk of complications associated with type 1 diabetes. There is a need to customise dietary management according to patient needs and behaviours by a Diabetes Specialist Dietitians.² MNT can demonstrate tailored education respective of culture and based on healthy dietary habits. People with diabetes should be actively engaged in education, self-management, and treatment planning with the healthcare team delivering MNT. In addition, carb counting may have a positive effect on metabolic control, improves quality of life, and seems to do so without influencing body mass index.⁴ A number of digital resources have developed. Technology-enabled diabetes self-management solutions improve A1C most effectively when there is two-way communication between the patient and the health care team, individualised feedback, use of patient-generated health data, and education.⁵ The session demonstrated the use of multiple methods including technology, cultural resources and tailored education to address the challenges faced while delivering MNT, including, the cultural preferences, food availability, social, economic and motivational factors, which need to be individualised during MNT.

References

1. Minerva Granado, Casas, Ivan Solà, Marta Hernández, Marina Idalia Rojo-López, Josep Julve, Didac Mauricio. Effectiveness of medical nutrition therapy in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: a systematic review. Nutr Diabetes 2022;12:24. doi: 10.1038/s41387-022-00201-7.

2. Sheryl Salis, Mini Joseph, Anuja Agarwala, Rajni Sharma, Nitin Kapoor. Medical nutrition therapy of pediatric type 1 diabetes mellitus in India: unique aspects and challenges. Paediatric Diabetes 2021;22:93-100. doi: 10.1111/pedi.13080.

3. Cooke D, Bond R, Lawton J, et al. U.K. NIHR DAFNE Study Group. Structured type 1 diabetes education delivered within routine care: impact on glycemic control and diabetes-specific quality of life. Diabetes Care 2013;36:270–272.

4. Tascini G, Berioli MG, Cerquiglini L, Santi E, Mancini G, Rogari F, et al. Carbohydrate counting in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Nutrients. 2018;10:1–11.. doi: 10.3390/nu10010109.

5. Greenwood DA, Gee PM, Fatkin KJ, Peeples M. A systematic review of reviews evaluating technology-enabled diabetes self-management education and support. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2017;11:1015–1027.