RecruitingACTRN12624000555550

Evaluation of a Novel Eating Disorder Prevention Program (Australian Diabetes Body Project) for Young Women with Type 1 Diabetes in a Clinic Setting: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Sponsor

Mater Hospital

Enrollment

60 participants

Start Date

Sep 26, 2024

Study Type

Interventional

Conditions

Diabetes Type 1

Summary

Research has identified that over one third of young people with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) experience disordered eating behaviours or at risk for an eating disorder (ED), which can impact T1D management and lead to diabetes-related complications and death. The current study aims to determine whether participating in the ADBP will reduce ED risk factors, depression, anxiety, and distress, and improve body acceptance, T1D management, and quality of life. This Randomised controlled trial will recruit 80 females with T1D between the ages of 15 and 25. Participants will be randomly assigned to an active control (educational videos) or the ADBP, which includes attending 6 weekly, hour-long, online group sessions that discuss body ideals and diabetes concerns. Validated surveys measuring body dissatisfaction, body ideals, disordered eating, quality of life, and diabetes distress, along with biometric data to assess diabetes management, will be collected at baseline (immediately prior to ADBP), immediately post-ADBP, and at 3 months follow-up. We expect that participation in the ADBP will lead to improvements in disordered eating, body acceptance, quality of life, and diabetes management

Eligibility

Sex: FemalesMin Age: 15 YearssMax Age: 25 Yearss

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

Young women with Type 1 diabetes face a unique challenge: managing a demanding health condition while also navigating body image pressures that are common in adolescence and young adulthood. Research shows that over a third of young people with Type 1 diabetes develop disordered eating behaviours — which can seriously interfere with diabetes management and increase the risk of life-threatening complications. This study is testing the Australian Diabetes Body Project (ADBP) — a 6-week online group program that helps young women challenge unrealistic body ideals and diabetes-specific concerns in a supportive environment. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the ADBP or an active control group that watches educational videos. Outcomes including body satisfaction, disordered eating, diabetes management, and quality of life will be measured before, immediately after, and 3 months later. You may be eligible if you are a female aged 15 to 25 with a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis for more than 6 months, currently on insulin, and have some body image concerns. You must not have been hospitalised for an eating disorder in the past 12 months, must not be losing weight rapidly, and must have a BMI of at least 14 kg/m². Parental consent is required for participants under 18.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

The Australian Diabetes Body Project (ADBP) is a virtual, group-oriented, co-led (clinician and peer) ED prevention program based on cognitive dissonance theory. The ADBP will involve six, one-hour,

The Australian Diabetes Body Project (ADBP) is a virtual, group-oriented, co-led (clinician and peer) ED prevention program based on cognitive dissonance theory. The ADBP will involve six, one-hour, virtual sessions held over six consecutive weeks. The group sessions will have two facilitators; a clinician (psychologist) and a peer-educator with T1D. Groups will include up to 8 participants, and will be held at various times throughout the year. In between the sessions, participants will complete homework exercises to be discussed at the following session.The topics for the six sessions are as follows: 1. Define the ideal and explore its origin 2. Examine the costs of pursuing this ideal 3. Explore ways to resist pressures to be thin 4. Discuss how to challenge our personal body image concerns 5. Learn new ways to talk more positively about our bodies. 6. Discuss how to promote a positive relationship with diabetes and insulin. Adherence to the group sessions will be monitored by the group facilitators. Participants who fail to attend group sessions will be followed up by a facilitator or research team member.