931-P: Supporting Physical Activity in Children with Type 1 Diabetes: A Survey of Health Care Professionals

Abstract

Background: The risk of some of the co-morbidities associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D) can be mitigated through physical activity. Despite benefits, research shows that children and adolescents with T1D are not meeting recommended levels of physical activity. Health Care Professionals (HCPs) have an important role in supporting and encouraging children and adolescents to be physically active. Therefore it is important to understand the perspectives of HCPs in relation to understanding physical activity behaviours in children and adolescents, prior to designing interventions to support physical activity. Methods: An online mixed methods survey of HCPs in England and Wales. Respondents were asked questions about how they support physical activity in the clinic and their perceptions of barriers/enablers of physical activity. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, qualitative data were analysed using a combined deductive framework and inductive thematic analysis using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation model of behaviour (COM-B). Results: Responses were received from 114 individual HCPs, representing 45% of paediatric diabetes units in England and Wales. Results show that HCPs felt that the promotion of physical activity is important in their clinic (90%) and advise children and adolescents to increase levels of physical activity (88%). Many respondents (43%) felt there was lack of education opportunities for HCPs on this topic. Qualitative responses highlighted three key areas of behaviour that might be a barrier to physical activity in their patients: (1) psychological capacity (i.e., fear of hypoglycaemia and lack of understanding of how to manage insulin and glucose levels), (2) physical opportunity (i.e., time, cost, and access to resources), and (3) social opportunity (i.e., family, school, and peer support). Conclusion: This understanding will help develop future interventions to support physical activity in children and adolescents with T1D. Disclosure E. Cockcroft: None. P. Narendran: Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi. E. Wooding: None. R. C. Andrews: None. Funding National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula (to E.C.)