A habit-based intervention for weight loss in type 1 diabetes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Novel habit-based intervention for weight loss and enhanced self-management in people with type 1 diabetes
IRAS ID
354070
Contact name
Matthew Campbell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sunderland
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Putting on too much weight is harmful to our health. In people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), weight gain contributes to an increased risk of developing diabetes complications, most of which are vascular (i.e. affecting small and large blood vessels). The NHS recommend that all people with diabetes receive education and support about weight management. However, there are no specific recommendations for achieving weight-loss in people with T1D and many people with T1D feel unsupported in achieving weight-management alongside their diabetes management. Simple and acceptable methods that help people with T1D achieve a healthier weight are urgently needed.
We will work with people with T1D to adapt and refine a non-stigmatising leaflet to support everyday behaviours that promote weight-loss, awareness of food intake, and improved T1D self-management, to become long-term ‘healthy-habits’. We will then conduct a study to assess whether giving this information to people with T1D results in weight-loss and improves their diabetes management.
Project 1 – Co-design workshop: We will recruit 10-15 people with T1D classified as overweight to participate in a co-design workshop. We will work with our participants to co-design a leaflet that offers information about adopting new ‘healthy’ behaviours for achieving weight-loss and improving diabetes self-management.
Project 2 – Intervention study: 160 people with T1D classified as overweight will participate in an intervention study. Half the group (80 people) will receive the leaflet and be guided through a set of simple weight-loss and diabetes self-management behaviours with strategies to make them new habits by a member of the research team. The other half (80 people) of the group will receive their usual care. We will assess changes in weight, glucose control, and risk factors for complications, at the start and after 12-weeks.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0182
Date of REC Opinion
26 Mar 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion