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Treating a newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic can be overwhelming for patients and family members.
It can be even more difficult for teenagers to manage their health while receiving assistance from providers and parents. Obtaining subjective data about diet and exercise patterns outside of soccer can raise awareness about lifestyle habits that can be changed to improve health. Early detection tests, weight, BMI, and vital signs are examples of objective data.
Diabetes can be detected early using plasma glucose, HbA1c levels, or an oral glucose tolerance test. HbA1c levels measure long-term blood glucose concentration and are unaffected by acute blood glucose changes. Oral glucose tests are typically performed while fasting and are taken in the morning due to overnight fasting. Blood glucose levels are measured two hours after ingestion to see if they are within the normal range. Diabetes progression can be slowed with proper care management and lifestyle changes. Weight loss goals increased physical activity, and dietary improvements are examples of lifestyle changes. The patient can continue participating in physical activity as a high school goalie. If she can increase her activity, she may be able to play other positions on the team to help her weight loss. According to the Centers for Disease Control, a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese; thus, we can focus a portion of her treatment plan on lowering her BMI to below 25, which is a healthy weight range (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Nutritional changes have been shown to improve A1C, achieve and maintain weight loss goals, and prevent diabetes complications. This is possible by addressing nutritional needs based on individual and cultural preferences, health literacy, access to healthy food options, willingness and ability to change, and continuing to make food options tasty and enjoyable.
Educating the patient and family about the diabetes plate method, which includes the most significant portion of the plate (1/2) being nonstarchy vegetables, 1/4th of the plate being a protein, and another 1/4th of the plate being a carb can help with the transition. There is no need to count, calculate, measure, or weigh any part of the meal (American Diabetes Association, 2022). As a result, a parent and teens can use this method at school, home, or a restaurant.
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Collaboration with a nutritionist, diabetic educator, and endocrinologist can help patients and families manage their health and achieve the goals set by the patient and provider (Szafran et al., 2019). The nutritionist can guide and assist family members in preparing more appropriate meals for the patient’s new lifestyle. Diabetic educators can help inform patients and families about diabetic issues when they cannot reach their primary care provider. Due to the ability of teenage hormones to influence glucose and thus diabetic management, the endocrinologist can further assist the patient with diabetic management.
