The Effect of a Web-Based Education Program on Eating Habits, Metabolic Control, and Self-Management in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Their Mothers With Irregular Eating Behavior

The Effect of a Web-Based Education Program on Eating Habits, Metabolic Control, and Self-Management in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Their Mothers With Irregular Eating Behavior

The study was planned as a randomized controlled experimental study to investigate the effects of a web-based educational program given to adolescents with diabetes mellitus and their mothers on eating habits, metabolic control, and self-management.

The prevalence of Type 1 diabetes is increasing worldwide and is reported to be the third most common chronic disease in childhood (Lowes et al., 2015). It is generally accepted that effective management of diabetes requires education for both the patient and the family regarding management components such as blood glucose monitoring, insulin replacement, diet, exercise, and problem-solving strategies (Couch et al., 2008). Since diabetes management requires lifestyle changes, many health professionals recommend providing education to the whole family (Shiel et al., 2023).

Adolescence is a period of developing autonomy and often means reduced parental involvement; however, an adolescent with Type 1 diabetes is also coping with a serious, life-threatening disease (Polfuss et al., 2015). Increased self-care responsibilities during adolescence create additional complex challenges for the management and treatment of diabetes. Websites providing information about diabetes to adolescents offer problem-solving opportunities and an interactive environment for sharing experiences.

The study population will consist of adolescents and their mothers followed at the Pediatric Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic of Erciyes University Mustafa Eraslan and Fevzi Mercan Children's Hospital. In the first phase of the study, the Descriptive Characteristics and Eating Disorder Behavior Scale (DESPR) will be administered to adolescents and their mothers to identify adolescents with eating disorder behaviors. The sample was determined as 272 adolescents using the G Power program with a margin of error of d=0.2, a margin of error of 0.05, and a 95% confidence interval. For the second phase of the study, adolescents with a DESPR score of 20 or higher will be divided into three groups: Intervention I (Adolescents Only), Intervention II (Adolescents and Mothers), and Control Group (Clinical Practice Routine). The sample size was calculated using the G Power program with a margin of error of d=0.4, a margin of error of 0.05, and an 85% confidence interval, resulting in a total of 72 individuals, with 24 individuals in each group. The groups into which individuals will be placed will be determined using the block randomization method applied on the www.randomizer.org website.

Training Implementation:

Training will be given to two groups: Web-Based Intervention Group I (Adolescents) and Intervention Group II (Adolescents and Mothers). An initial introductory meeting will be held, and training on how to use the web program will be given in a single 40-minute session. Website Preparation: The website will be structured using WordPress, a web-based software development tool that supports most web browsers. Website content will be evaluated using the DISCERN Measurement Tool by a faculty member from the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, three faculty members from the Faculty of Nursing, three Diabetes Education Nurses, and a faculty member from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics. The researcher will introduce the website to adolescents by explaining its name and how to use it. Individuals in the intervention group will also be given usernames and passwords to access the site. New topics, blog posts, and quizzes related to the topic will be added to the site each week, and a reminder message will be sent to individuals in the intervention group when a new topic is added. The website will include an interface where members can log in to their own pages, enter blood glucose measurements, access training modules, exchange messages, and perform administrative tasks (user lists, monitoring all measurements, and tracking training results). The "Contact" page on the website will allow users to send messages to site administrators. Six menus are planned for the website: "Home", "Our Team", "Blog", "Training", "Surveys", and "Contact". Blog Menu: This will be a space where members can chat with each other and share their experiences. The aim is to encourage members to comment on topics determined by the site administrator and share their experiences. After using the website, everyone will be given the opportunity to comment on the materials provided. Educational materials cover topics such as Type 1 diabetes, nutrition for young people with diabetes, carbohydrate counting, acute complications such as hypoglycemia, long-term complications, physical exercise in diabetes, diabetes treatment, insulin, and continuous glucose monitoring.

Inclusion Criteria:

• T1DM adolescents and their mothers who have internet access at home,
• have a DEPS-R score of 20 or higher,
• are between the ages of 12 and 18,
• have been diagnosed with T1DM at least one year ago,
• have no other chronic illness other than T1DM, and
• agree to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diabetes diagnosis lasted less than one year.
• The adolescent has a chronic condition other than T1DM.
• The adolescent and their mother have cognitive or perceptual disabilities in understanding the website's content.
• Participants who did not complete the training program.