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

## TL;DR

This study explores how Type 1 diabetes complicates obesity treatment, highlighting patient perspectives on lifestyle, healthcare interactions, and psychological challenges in Kuwait.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the intersection of Type 1 diabetes and obesity, emphasizing the need for patient-centered, multidisciplinary care.

## Key findings

- 56.8% of participants viewed T1D as a barrier to obesity treatment.
- Four key themes emerged: negative obesity perceptions, poor healthcare interactions, lack of management suggestions, and poor self-image.
- Patients emphasized lifestyle factors as primary contributors to obesity and called for holistic interventions.

## Abstract

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.

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.

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.

Participants identified 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. The 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. This provided in‐depth insights into participants’ perceptions, worries, experiences, and suggestions for managing obesity in the context of T1D.

This study contributes a nuanced understanding of obesity in patients with T1D, shedding light on the complexities beyond glycemic control. The findings emphasize the need for patient‐centered, multidisciplinary approaches that consider both medical and psychological aspects in the management of obesity within patients with T1D.