Beyond “Watching the Sweets”: An interpretive description of adolescent's understandings and insights into preventing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore adolescents' experiences and knowledge of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and identify appropriate T2D education and prevention interventions for this population.

Design and Methods

This interpretive description study was conducted at two urban high schools in midwestern Canada. Participants had been previously screened and considered at high risk for T2D, prediabetes, or as having T2D. Individual, semistructured interviews were conducted with twelve adolescents between the age of 14–19 years meeting these criteria. Thematic analysis was completed using interview transcripts.

Results

Themes and subthemes identified included (1) Type 2 Diabetes: More Than Too Many Sweets (Mostly Diet but Insulin Does Play a Role, and A Serious but Common Disease); (2) Who Holds the Power? (Personal Responsibility for Health, Family as Role Models, and Community Connections); and (3) Bringing Home the Message (Our Considerations for Schools, I need the Expert's Support, and Using Technology to Get the Points Across).

Practice Implications

Findings from this study provide target areas for education and prevention interventions and approaches for working with adolescents surrounding prediabetes and T2D that may be effective.