Situational Obstacles to Adherence for Adolescents with Diabetes

Abstract

Twenty adolescents with insulin -dependent diabetes mellitus were interviewed to obtain samples of problem situations that create obstacles to dietary adherence. The resulting 57 situations were analyzed using a reliable coding system to determine the presence or absence of 28 stimulus features. A hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify 10 relatively homogeneous categories of obstacles to dietary adherence: being tempted to stop trying; negative emotional eating; facing forbidden foods; peer interpersonal conflict; competing priorities; eating at school; social events and holidays; food cravings; snacking when home, alone, or bored; and social pressure to eat. Diabetes educators should consider an individual's ability to cope with this array of obstacles to adherence when individualizing treatment. Dietary intervention then can be personalized to address specific situational obstacles.