Effects of Bedtime Snack Composition on Overnight Glucose in Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

Bedtime Snack Composition and Overnight Glycemic Profiles in Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Using Multiple Daily Injections: A Randomized Crossover Study

This study compared four types of bedtime snacks in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes treated with multiple daily insulin injections. The aim was to determine whether bedtime snack nutrient composition affects overnight glucose levels.

Participants received four different bedtime snacks: carbohydrate alone, carbohydrate with protein, carbohydrate with fat, and carbohydrate with fiber. The order of the four snack types was randomly assigned. Each snack type was consumed at 9:00 PM for three consecutive nights without an additional insulin dose for the snack. All participants received all four snack types during the study.

Overnight glucose levels were measured from 9:00 PM to 9:00 AM using a blinded continuous glucose monitoring system. The primary outcome was the percentage of time glucose levels remained between 70 and 180 mg/dL during the overnight period. Secondary outcomes included measures of hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, glucose variability, and changes in glucose levels during different periods of the night.

Inclusion Criteria:

Age 6-18 years Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes for more than 1 year Completion of the remission period Treatment with multiple daily insulin injections Completion of all three stages of carbohydrate-counting education Ability to perform capillary blood glucose monitoring at least four times daily Total daily insulin dose >0.5 U/kg/day Mean HbA1c <9.6% during the preceding 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

Insulin pump or sensor-augmented pump therapy Incomplete carbohydrate-counting education Impaired awareness of hypoglycemia Intestinal malabsorption Delayed gastric emptying Celiac disease or any other condition requiring dietary restriction Cystic fibrosis or other gastrointestinal disorders Diabetes-related chronic complications Physical or mental disability limiting adherence to study procedures Eating behavior disorders Active infection