title: Attitudes to Exercise and Diabetes in Young People with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Qualitative Analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate young people's attitudes to, and understanding of, physical activity on glycaemic control in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four focus groups with 11-14 and 15-16 year olds were conducted with twelve young people with Type 1 Diabetes, from within a larger study investigating physical activity and fitness. Qualitative analysis of the focus group data was performed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four superordinate themes were identified: Benefits of Exercise, Knowledge and Understanding, Information and Training and "You can do anything". Young people felt that exercising helped them to manage their diabetes and had a beneficial psychological and physical impact on their bodies. They reported a lack of knowledge and understanding about diabetes among school staff and other young people. The overwhelming sense from young people was that although diabetes impacts upon their lives, with preparation, physical activity can take place as normal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whilst young people had an awareness of the physical and psychological benefits of exercise in managing their diabetes, they experienced difficulties at school. Professional support and discussions with young people, giving tailored strategies for managing Type 1 Diabetes during exercise are needed. Healthcare teams should ensure that the support and educational needs of school staff are met. Providing more opportunities to empower young people to take on the responsibility for their Type 1 Diabetes care is merited. Young people felt diabetes did not stop them from participating in activities; it is simply a part of them that needs managing throughout life.
authors.affiliation: Psychological Health Service, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS2 8BJ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kirsty
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ryninks
authors.affiliation: NIHR Biomedical Research Unit in Nutrition, Diet & Lifestyle, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Education Centre, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS2 8AE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sutton
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Upper Maudlin St, Bristol BS2 8BJ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, 8 Priory Road, Bristol, BS8 1TZ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jago
authors.affiliation: NIHR Biomedical Research Unit in Nutrition, Diet & Lifestyle, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Education Centre, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS2 8AE, United Kingdom; Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Upper Maudlin St, Bristol BS2 8BJ, United Kingdom; School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, 69 St Michael's Hill, Bristol, BS2 8DZ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Julian P H
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Shield
authors.affiliation: NIHR Biomedical Research Unit in Nutrition, Diet & Lifestyle, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Education Centre, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS2 8AE, United Kingdom; Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Upper Maudlin St, Bristol BS2 8BJ, United Kingdom; School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, 69 St Michael's Hill, Bristol, BS2 8DZ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Christine P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Burren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires