Time, Technology, Social Support, and Cardiovascular Health of Emerging Adults With Type 1 Diabetes.
Margaret M McCarthy, Joeyee Yan, Mary Christine Jared and 3 others
PMID 37084321WHAT IT FOUND
Only 36% of emerging adults with type 1 diabetes reached ideal cardiovascular health.
Diet, activity, and glucose control were the lowest achieved areas. Interviews found participants described lack of time as a barrier, and technology and social support as helpful.
Key findings
01The 50 participants averaged 9.4 points on a 0-14 cardiovascular health scale, and 18 reached the ideal category.
02Ideal levels were lowest for a healthy diet (14%), sufficient physical activity (38%), and hemoglobin A1C under 7% (40%).
03In interviews with 28 participants, time was a common barrier to healthy eating, physical activity, and blood glucose control; participants described technology and social support as helpful.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was a convenience sample of 50 emerging adults from one academic medical center, and 86% were White, so the results may not apply to other groups. The study was descriptive and cross-sectional, so it cannot show that time, technology, or social support caused better or worse cardiovascular health. Interview findings came from 28 participants selected for diversity, not from all 50 participants. The sample size was chosen as a pilot for budget and timeline rather than to test an effect. The study did not assess depression, diabetes distress, or stigma, and it did not measure hemoglobin A1C before insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor use.
Declared interests
The authors state they have no conflicts of interest. The article is listed as supported by NIH extramural research.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat time management, technology, or social support as proven ways to improve cardiovascular health. This was a descriptive mixed-method study with no intervention, so it reports experiences and current health status, not effects.