Diabetes Management Personal Trainer

Management of diabetes is a complex process involving the conduct of daily self-care activities, problem-solving, and decision-making. Even in the most supportive environment, adherence to the daily regimen is difficult. Adherence is typically lowest among adolescents, who are taking increasing amounts of responsibility for their diabetes management while still maturing cognitively and socially. This pilot study will investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of a personal diabetes trainer in promoting adherence among early adolescents. A sample of 120 youth ages 11 to 16 will be randomized to informational control or a diabetes personal trainer intervention. Measures of adherence, adjustment, conflict, attitudes, and parental involvement will be obtained at baseline, two months, six months, and one year following. Measures of glycemic control will be abstracted from the medical records.

* INCLUSION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria include 1) youth diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes for a minimum of 1 year and requiring insulin treatment, 2) youth age 11-16, and 3) both youth and a parent with whom the youth lives most of the time and has primary responsibility for child's health willing to participate. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Exclusion criteria include 1) comorbid chronic illness requiring daily medical management or psychiatric diagnosis or 2) youth or parent non-English speaking/writing.