Type 1 Diabetes Is a Barrier to Obesity Treatment: Patient Insights From a Mixed-Methods Study

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Bulrr

Research examines how Type 1 diabetes (T1D) interacts with obesity and how patients perceive barriers and management difficulties. The study applies a mixed-methods design combining BMI and lifestyle analysis from 51 participants with T1D and obesity or obesity-related complications, with thematic analysis of perceptions gathered through an online survey. Findings indicate lifestyle factors as key drivers and show about 56.8% viewing T1D as a barrier to obesity treatment. Four qualitative themes highlight negative views, limited care interface, lack of improvement suggestions, and self-image concerns, supporting patient-centered multidisciplinary care.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Background and epidemiological context

T1D and obesity interplay and clinical challenges

Rationale for patient-centered investigation

Objectives

Methods

Quantitative BMI and lifestyle analysis

Qualitative thematic analysis

Results

Perceived lifestyle contributors

T1D as a barrier

Qualitative themes

Conclusions

Wiley Journal of Obesity Volume 2025, Article ID 1461796, 11 pages [https://doi.org/10.1155/jobe/1461796](https://doi.org/10.1155/jobe/1461796) Research Article Type 1 Diabetes Is a Barrier to Obesity Treatment: Patient Insights From a Mixed-Methods Study Ebaa Al Ozairi , 1 Dalal Alsaeed,1 Alvin Mondoh ,2 Etab Taghadom, 1,3 Mohammad Irshad , 1 Dherar Alroudhan, 1 Jumana Al Kandari, 1,3 Werd Al-Najim,2,4 and Carel W. le Roux 1,2,4 1 DAFNE Unit, Clinical Care Research and Clinical Trials Unit, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait City, Kuwait 2 Diabetes Complications Research Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland 3 Amiri Hospital, Kuwait City, Kuwait 4 Diabetes Research Centre, Ulster University, Coleraine, UK Correspondence should be addressed to Ebaa Al Ozairi; [ebaa.alozairi@dasmaninstitute.org](ebaa.alozairi@dasmaninstitute.org) Received 27 March 2025; Revised 31 October 2025; Accepted 18 November 2025 Academic Editor: Nanna Ruengkratok Lang Copyright © 2025 Ebaa Al Ozairi et al. Journal of Obesity published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Tis is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Background: Globally, many patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) are now characterized by excess adipose tissue and features of insulin resistance. In Kuwait, rapid urbanization, shifts in dietary patterns, and decreased physical activity have contributed to rising obesity prevalence in the general population. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the interplay between the diseases of obesity and T1D, examining patients’ perspectives on why they gained body weight, psychological aspects, and management challenges. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, encompassing quantitative analysis of body mass index (BMI) and lifestyle factors among 51 participants with T1D and obesity or obesity-related complications and a thematic analysis of perceptions and experiences related to obesity and T1D using an online survey. Results: Participants identifed lifestyle factors as the primary contributors to obesity, emphasizing the need for holistic interventions. About 56.8% of the participants perceived T1D as a barrier to obesity treatment. Te qualitative analysis revealed four themes: 1) negative perceptions about obesity, 2) poor interface with healthcare professionals (HCPs), 3) lack of suggestions for improving obesity management, and 4) poor self-image and awareness. Tis provided in-depth insights into participants’perceptions, worries, experiences, and suggestions for managing obesity in the context of T1D. Conclusions: Tis study contributes a nuanced understanding of obesity in patients with T1D, shedding light on the complexities beyond glycemic control. Te fndings emphasize the need for patient-centered, multidisciplinary approaches that consider both medical and psychological aspects in the management of obesity within patients with T1D. Keywords: body weight perceptions; obesity; T1D 1. Introduction Obesity, as defned by the World Health Organization (WHO) as excess adipose tissue causing a deterioration in health [1], has not traditionally been associated with T1D [2] . Rather, T1D was associated with lower body weight due to insulin defciency [1, 2] . T1D is an autoimmune disease that destroys pancreatic beta cells, resulting in a lifelong reliance on insulin supplementation. Conversely, Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is marked by insulin resistance and defective insulin secretion [2, 3] . Previously, T1D was associated with underweight status and catabolic metabolism. However, this has profoundly evolved over the past 2 decades as there has been a global surge in overweight and obesity among individuals with T1D, leading to the emergence of “double diabetes” [4, 5] . 2 Journal of Obesity Globally, many patients with T1D are now characterized b

FAQs

What was the study’s main goal regarding T1D and obesity?

To investigate the interplay between obesity and Type 1 diabetes by examining patients’ perspectives on weight gain, psychological aspects, and management challenges.

How were participants and data collected in the mixed-methods design?

The study used quantitative analysis of BMI and lifestyle factors in 51 participants, combined with thematic analysis of patients’ perceptions and experiences collected via an online survey.

What proportion of participants perceived T1D as a barrier to obesity treatment?

About 56.8% of participants perceived T1D as a barrier to obesity treatment.

What themes emerged from the qualitative analysis?

Four themes were identified: negative perceptions about obesity, poor interface with healthcare professionals, lack of suggestions for improving obesity management, and poor self-image and awareness.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Bulrr