Behavioral approaches to nutrition and eating patterns for managing type 2 diabetes: A review

Discussions About Binge Eating and Type 2 Diabetes in a Facebook Group: A Qualitative Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Binge eating has adverse health effects and may be 10 times more common in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) than in the general population. Still, binge eating is not consistently addressed in diabetes treatment. People with T2D and binge eating may, therefore, seek guidance on the topic on social media. The study objective was to explore discussions about binge eating among members of a T2D-specific Facebook group.

METHOD

Interactions among members of the Facebook group were observed over 8 months and supplemented by keyword searches within group content. The data were imported into NVivo12 and analyzed using Interpretive Description.

RESULTS

The overarching theme described how group members exchanged guidance concerning co-existing T2D and binge eating based on personal experiences while trying to resolve co-members' misapprehensions regarding binge eating. Two subthemes were generated, describing frequently discussed topics relating to binge eating triggers and inhibitors. Triggers were confusion about the health impacts of carbohydrates and encounters with unsupportive clinicians, while inhibitors included the possibility of speaking openly about binge eating with peers and hunger cues being suppressed by glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists.

DISCUSSION

Social media may constitute an important source of support for people with T2D and binge eating, as the topic is typically not addressed in routine care. Besides being aware of the extent of binge eating in people with T2D and the health risks involved, clinicians should keep in mind that people with both conditions may seek information on social media that can affect diabetes management.

5. Facilitating Positive Health Behaviors and Well-being to Improve Health Outcomes: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, an interprofessional expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations and a full list of Professional Practice Committee members, please refer to Introduction and Methodology. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.