How food insecurity affects blood sugar and health care use in young people with diabetes
Impact of Disparities in Food Security on Glycemic Control and Health CareUtilization Among Youth and Young Adults with Diabetes
This project looks at how day-to-day problems getting enough food relate to blood sugar swings and health care visits in teens and young adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311929 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project follows youth and young adults with diabetes who are already in the SEARCH Food Security cohort and collects detailed day-to-day information. Participants will use continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and respond to short phone surveys (ecological momentary assessment) about food access while researchers link those data to medical care use. The study combines numbers from CGM and surveys with interviews and existing cohort records to see how intermittent versus persistent food insecurity affects blood sugar and emergencies like diabetic ketoacidosis. Findings will guide strategies to reduce risk for young people who struggle with reliable access to food.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Teens and young adults living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who face intermittent or persistent food insecurity would be the ideal candidates for this work.
Not a fit: People without diabetes, older adults outside the youth/young-adult range, or those with stable food access are unlikely to get direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help tailor support and programs that reduce dangerous blood sugar swings and prevent diabetes emergencies by addressing food insecurity for young people.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier SEARCH Food Security data showed links between food insecurity and higher HbA1c and greater odds of DKA, but using daily food reports paired with CGM is a newer, more detailed approach.
Where this research is happening
Columbia, United States
- University of South Carolina at Columbia — Columbia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liese, Angela D — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Liese, Angela D
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.