J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2025 Nov 25. doi: 10.1515/jpem-2025-0540. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Nutrition education is important for managing type 2 diabetes (T2D), and how much knowledge is retained after nutrition education for new onset diabetes is challenging to assess. We hypothesize that deployment of a nutrition assessment will reinforce nutrition knowledge in newly diagnosed youth with T2D.
METHODS: An exploratory quality improvement project was conducted to evaluate nutrition knowledge retained following new diagnosis of T2D. We implemented an 18-item nutrition assessment (at the first or second outpatient visit) evaluating nutrition label reading, hypoglycemia/hyperglycemia management, insulin management, and physical activity. Data was collected from the medical record, and descriptive and summary statistics were performed.
RESULTS: Quizzes were administered to 19 patients and their caregivers, mean patient age 14.9 ± 2.1 years, 68 % female, 68 % NH Black, 79 % publicly insured, with mean HbA1c 11.3 % at diagnosis, and 8.2 % at time of assessment. Mean overall nutrition assessment score was 14/18 (76 %). Patients scored well on questions about insulin (87 % correct) and physical activity (90 % correct) but needed additional reinforcement on questions about general nutrition (61 % correct) and acute and chronic complications of diabetes (64 % correct). Patients who had a lower HbA1c at follow-up scored higher on the quiz (p=0.037). Dietitians commented that the assessments allowed them to gain “quick insight” into patients’ baseline knowledge, which enabled more tailored nutrition education with each patient.
CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of nutrition assessments during comprehensive diabetes visits is feasible and facilitates nutrition education with the patient and/or caregiver in an engaging manner. Reinforcement of nutrition education is critical for type 2 diabetes management and outcomes.
PMID:41275517 | DOI:10.1515/jpem-2025-0540
