“Now I can see it works!” Perspectives on Using a Nutrition-Focused Approach When Initiating Continuous Glucose Monitoring in People with Type 2 Diabetes: Qualitative Interview Study
Authors: Willis Holly J , Henderson Maren S G , Zibley Laura J , JaKa Meghan M 
Published: December 2024

Background

Food choices play a significant role in achieving glycemic goals and optimizing overall health for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can provide a comprehensive look at the impact of foods and other behaviors on glucose in real time and over the course of time. The impact of using a nutrition-focused approach (NFA) when initiating CGM in people with T2D is unknown.

Objective

This study aims to understand the perspectives and behaviors of people with T2D who participated in an NFA during CGM initiation.

Methods

Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with UNITE (Using Nutrition to Improve Time in Range) study participants. UNITE was a 2-session intervention designed to introduce and initiate CGM using an NFA in people with T2D who do not use insulin. The intervention included CGM initiation materials that emphasized the continuous glucose monitor as a tool to guide evidence-based food choices. The materials were designed to support conversation between the CGM user and diabetes care provider conducting the sessions. A rapid matrix analysis approach was designed to answer two main questions: (1) How do people who participate in an NFA during CGM initiation describe this experience? and (2) How do people who participate in an NFA during CGM initiation use CGM data to make food-related decisions, and what food-related changes do they make?

Results

Overall, 15 people completed interviews after completion of the UNITE study intervention: 87% (n=13) identified as White, 60% (n=9) identified as male, mean age of 64 (SD 7.4) years, mean T2D duration of 7.5 (SD 3.8) years, and mean hemoglobin A1c level of 7.5% (SD 0.4%). Participants fluently discussed glycemic metrics such as time in range (percent time with glucose 70-180 mg/dL) and reported regularly using real-time and retrospective CGM data. Participants liked the simplicity of the intervention materials (eg, images and messaging), which demonstrated how to use CGM data to learn the glycemic impact of food choices and suggested how to adjust food choices for improved glycemia. Participants reported that CGM data impacted how they thought about food, and most participants made changes because of seeing these data. Many of the reported changes aligned with evidence-based guidance for a healthy lifestyle, including prioritizing nonstarchy vegetables, reducing foods with added sugar, or walking more; however, some people reported behavior changes, such as skipping or delaying meals to stay in the target glucose range. A few participants reported that the CGM amplified negative feelings about food or eating.

Conclusions

Participants agreed that pairing nutrition information with CGM initiation instructions was helpful for their diabetes care. In general, the NFA during CGM initiation was well received and led to positive changes in food choices and behaviors during a 2-month intervention.