The Difference in A1C of Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus using Carbohydrate Counting compared to those using a Structured Meal Plan
Abstract
Carbohydrate counting (CHO) is a nutrition education tool used by patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The primary objective was to assess glycated hemoglobin (A1C) in participants with T1DM using CHO counting vs. those using a structured meal plan (SMP). The secondary objectives were to determine if BMI-for-age, parental income, parental involvement, and mothers’ educational level were associated with their children’s glycemic control. A cross sectional study was conducted, where participants aged 4-18 years, or their parents completed a survey. Total sample size was 88 participants (77 in the CHO counting group and 11 in the SMP group). There were no differences in demographic variables or A1C between the two groups. Unexpectedly, there was a very high proportion of participants in the CHO counting group; so there were few statistical differences between the groups. The qualitative data emphasized CHO counting as a challenge patients faced, especially when eating out.