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Learning Objective 1: Understand the status of glycemic control and cardiovascular fitness in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
Learning Objective 2: Learn the perceived disease-specific quality of life in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
Glycemic control was determined with HbA1C. Cardiovascular fitness was measured with peak VO2 using the McMaster Cycling Protocol in conjunction with a SensorMedics® VMax29 Metabolic system. Adolescents' self-perceived quality of life was assessed with Diabetes Quality of Life for Youth.
The adolescents' average HbA1C was 8.6%, which is higher than the American Diabetes Association's recommended treatment goal of 7.5%. The mean peak VO2 was approximately 34.7 ml/kg/min, which is lower than results reported for similar aged non-diabetic youth. The levels of adolescents' perceived disease-specific quality of life were similar to those reported in other studies.
Glycemic control was significantly correlated with the perceived impact of diabetes, r (n=98) = .17, p < .05, but not correlated with their perceived worries about diabetes, life satisfaction, and health status. Those who exhibited higher HbA1C (reflective of poor glycemic control) tended to perceive a higher level of diabetes impact. Cardiovascular fitness was positively correlated with their perceived health r (n=100) = .22, p < .05, but not correlated with their perceived impact of diabetes, worries about diabetes, and life satisfaction. These data support the importance of a physically active lifestyle for adolescents with diabetes to enhance fitness, glycemic control, and perceptions of overall health.