Experiences With Outpatient Nutrition Services Among Caregivers of Youth With Type 1 Diabetes

Many children with type 1 diabetes do not meet nutritional guidelines. Little is known about how caregivers perceive the necessity of registered dietitian (RD) visits or how satisfied they are with nutrition care. This study aimed to evaluate nutrition experiences and perceptions of care among caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes at an academic medical center. We analyzed 159 survey responses. Using multivariable logistic regression, we assessed factors associated with the perception of need for annual nutrition visits, satisfaction with RD care, and encouragement from a nurse or doctor to meet with an RD. Covariates included age (<13 vs. ≥13 years), type 1 diabetes duration (≤3 vs. >3 years), sex, race/ethnicity, and insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring use. More than half of caregivers (56%) considered annual visits necessary. Shorter type 1 diabetes duration (odds ratio [OR] 1.92, 95% CI 1.02–3.63) was associated with this finding. Less than half (46.5%) reported satisfaction with nutrition care; higher satisfaction was also correlated with shorter type 1 diabetes duration (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.17–4.15). Although 42% reported meeting with an RD in the past year, less than two-thirds (62%) reported receiving a medical provider recommendation for nutrition care. Leading reasons for not meeting with an RD were: “I am knowledgeable in nutrition and do not need to see an [RD]” (41%) and “I had a past visit with an [RD] that was not helpful” (40%). Our findings suggest that satisfaction with and perceived need for nutrition care may wane with longer type 1 diabetes duration. Improved strategies for therapeutic alliance between caregivers and RDs and engagement of families at later stages of type 1 diabetes are needed.