This pilot study delivered a comprehensive exercise education intervention to youth with new-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) and their parents to increase knowledge and confidence with physical activity (PA) shortly after diagnosis. Youth initiated continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and PA trackers within 1 month of diagnosis. Youth and their parents received the 4-session intervention over 12 months. Participants completed self-report questionnaires at baseline, 6- and 12-months. Surveys were analyzed using linear mixed effects models. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups explored experiences with the exercise education intervention. Groups and interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using content analysis. A total of 16 parents (aged 46 ± 7 years; 88 % female; 67 % non-Hispanic White) and 17 youth (aged 14 ± 2 years; 41 % female; 65 % non-Hispanic White) participated. Worry about hypoglycemia did not worsen throughout the study duration. Parents and youth reported increased knowledge and confidence in managing T1D safely and preventing hypoglycemia during PA following receiving the tailored exercise education intervention. This study assessed a novel structured exercise education program for youth and their parents shortly following T1D diagnosis. These results support the broad translation and acceptability of a structured exercise education program in new-onset T1D.

Introduction: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis is associated with short- and long-term complications. We assessed the relationship between DKA status and hemoglobin A1c (A1c) levels in the first year following type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis. Research Design and Methods: The Pilot Teamwork, Targets, Technology, and Tight Control (4T) study offered continuous glucose monitoring to youth with T1D within 1 month of diagnosis. A1c levels were compared between historical ( n = 271) and Pilot 4T ( n = 135) cohorts stratified by DKA status at diagnosis (DKA: historical = 94, 4T = 67 versus without DKA: historical = 177, 4T = 68). A1c was evaluated using locally estimated scatter plot smoothing. Change in A1c from 4 to 12 months postdiagnosis was evaluated using a linear mixed model. Results: Median age was 9.7 (interquartile range [IQR]: 6.6, 12.7) versus 9.7 (IQR: 6.8, 12.7) years, 49% versus 47% female, 44% versus 39% non-Hispanic White in historical versus Pilot 4T. In historical and 4T cohorts, DKA at diagnosis demonstrated higher A1c at 6 (0.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21–0.79; P < 0.01] and 0.38% [95% CI: 0.02–0.74; P = 0.04], respectively), and 12 months (0.62% [95% CI: −0.06 to 1.29; P = 0.07] and 0.39% [95% CI: −0.32 to 1.10; P = 0.29], respectively). The highest % time in range (TIR; 70–180 mg/dL) was seen between weeks 15–20 (69%) versus 25–30 (75%) postdiagnosis for youth with versus without DKA in Pilot 4T, respectively. Conclusions: Pilot 4T improved A1c outcomes versus the historical cohort, but those with DKA at diagnosis had persistently elevated A1c throughout the study and intensive diabetes management did not mitigate this difference. DKA prevention at diagnosis may translate into better glycemic outcomes in the first-year postdiagnosis. Clinical Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04336969.

OBJECTIVE: The Teamwork, Targets, Technology, and Tight Range (4T) Exercise Program evaluated physical activity patterns across the first year of type 1 diabetes diagnosis and whether physical activity was associated with changes in glucose outcomes in the 24 h following physical activity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The 4T Exercise Program started newly diagnosed youth with type 1 diabetes on a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system and physical activity tracker around 1 month postdiagnosis. A subset of youth opted to participate in up to four quarterly structured exercise education sessions to increase their knowledge around safe physical activity. RESULTS: Ninety-eight youth with type 1 diabetes (median [interquartile range (IQR)] age of 13 [12–15] years, 45% female, 44% non-Hispanic White) completed the study. Compared with sedentary days, days with ≥10 min of vigorous-intensity physical activity were associated with an increase in time in range (TIR) of 2.3% (1.4–3.2%; P < 0.001), a decrease in time above range (TAR) of 3.1% (2.2–4.0%; P < 0.001), and an increase in time below range (TBR) of 0.8% (0.6–0.9%; P < 0.001) in the 24 h following physical activity. From 1–3 months to 10–12 months postdiagnosis, the median (IQR) step count increased by 1,134 (445–1,519) steps per day (P < 0.001), while daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity increased by 11 (2–23) min per day (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the 24 h following physical activity as compared with sedentary days, TIR improved, TAR was lower, and TBR remained within clinical target recommendations. For youth with new-onset type 1 diabetes, each structured exercise education session was associated with a further 0.79% increase in TIR.

Background: Youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and public insurance have lower diabetes technology use. This pilot study assessed the feasibility of a program to support continuous glucose monitor (CGM) use with remote patient monitoring (RPM) to improve glycemia for youth with established T1D and public insurance. Methods: From August 2020 to June 2023, we provided CGM with RPM support via patient portal messaging for youth with established T1D on public insurance with challenges obtaining consistent CGM supplies. We prospectively collected hemoglobin A _1c (HbA _1c ), standard CGM metrics, and diabetes technology use over 12 months. Results: The cohort included 91 youths with median age at enrollment 14.7 years, duration of diabetes 4.4 years, 33% non-English speakers, and 44% Hispanic. Continuous glucose monitor data were consistently available (≥70%) in 23% of the participants. For the 64% of participants with paired HbA _1c values at enrollment and study end, the median HbA _1c decreased from 9.8% to 9.0% ( P < .001). Insulin pump users increased from 31 to 48 and automated insulin delivery users increased from 11 to 38. Conclusions: We established a program to support CGM use in youth with T1D and barriers to consistent CGM supplies, offering lessons for other clinics to address disparities with team-based, algorithm-enabled, remote T1D care. This real-world pilot and feasibility study noted challenges with low levels of protocol adherence and obtaining complete data in this cohort. Future iterations of the program should explore RPM communication methods that better align with this population’s preferences to increase participant engagement.

Objective: Develop workflows and billing processes for a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)-led remote patient monitoring (RPM) program to transition the Teamwork, Targets, Technology, and Tight Control (4T) Study to our clinic’s standard of care. Methods: We identified stakeholders within a pediatric endocrinology clinic (hospital compliance, billing specialists, and clinical informatics) to identify, discuss, and approve billing codes and workflow. The group evaluated billing code stipulations, such as the timing of continuous glucose monitor (CGM) interpretation, scope of work, providers’ licensing, and electronic health record (EHR) documentation to meet billing compliance standards. We developed a CDCES workflow for asynchronous CGM interpretation and intervention and initiated an RPM billing pilot. Results: We built a workflow for CGM interpretation (billing code: 95251) with the CDCES as the service provider. The workflow includes data review, patient communications, and documentation. Over the first month of the pilot, RPM billing codes were submitted for 52 patients. The average reimbursement rate was $110.33 for commercial insurance (60% of patients) and $46.95 for public insurance (40% of patients) per code occurrence. Conclusions: Continuous involvement of CDCES and hospital stakeholders was essential to operationalize all relevant aspects of clinical care, workflows, compliance, documentation, and billing. CGM interpretation with RPM billing allows CDCES to work at the top of their licensing credential, increase clinical care touch points, and provide a business case for expansion. As evidence of the clinical benefits of RPM increases, the processes developed here may facilitate broader adoption of revenue-generating CDCES-led care to fund RPM.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in young people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) now parallels that of the general population. Excess adiposity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is already elevated up to 10-fold in T1D, underscoring a compelling need to address weight management as part of routine T1D care. Sustainable weight management requires both diet and physical activity (PA). Diet and PA approaches must be optimized towards the underlying metabolic and behavioral challenges unique to T1D to support glycemic control throughout the day. Diet strategies for people with T1D need to take into consideration glycemic management, metabolic status, clinical goals, personal preferences, and sociocultural considerations. A major barrier to weight management in this high-risk population is the challenge of integrating regular PA with day-to-day management of T1D. Specifically, exercise poses a substantial challenge due to the increased risk of hypoglycemia and/or hyperglycemia. Indeed, about two-thirds of individuals with T1D do not engage in the recommended amount of PA. Hypoglycemia presents a serious health risk, yet prevention and treatment often necessitates the consumption of additional calories, which may prohibit weight loss over time. Exercising safely is a concern and challenge with weight management and maintaining cardiometabolic health for individuals living with T1D and many healthcare professionals. Thus, a tremendous opportunity exists to improve exercise participation and cardiometabolic outcomes in this population. This article will review dietary strategies, the role of combined PA and diet for weight management, current resources for PA and glucose management, barriers to PA adherence in adults with T1D, as well as findings and lessons learned from the Advancing Care for Type 1 Diabetes and Obesity Network (ACT1ON).