A Summer Vacation From Diabetes: Evidence From a Clinical Trial

Abstract

Interviews suggested that teenagers need to take a vacation from intensive diabetes care during the summer.

The Effect of Family Routines on Care for Inner City Children with Asthma

“…The lack of consistent daily mealtimes and bedtimes for children has been associated with poorer nutrition and academic performance, and more injuries (Flores, Tomany-Korman, and Olson, 2005). Studies have also shown that adherence to routines support the management of children with chronic diseases; those children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus had poorer glycemic control during summer vacations when there was a lack of routines, as compared to when school was in session (Boland, Grey, Mezger, and Tamborlane, 1999). …”

High volume‐low intensity exercise camp and glycemic control in diabetic children

“…The decrease in habitual physical activity, coupled with less programme nutrition intake led to the diminishment of the camp’s positive effects. It had previously been observed that the glycemic control in teens and children generally tend to worsen over the summer holidays 43 . Although the girls had more desirable levels of HbA1c, participants in both the boys and girls groups were unable to maintain any long‐term beneficial effects of the camp.…”

Fructosamine levels demonstrate improved glycemic control for some children attending a diabetes summer camp

“…This is not a surprising result, because good home management of diabetes would be difficult to surpass in the camp setting where, within limits, food intake and activity are at the discretion of the child and insulin doses cannot be individualized for each child's activity and eating. Furthermore, there is evidence that glycemic control in teens using a pump or three or more shots per day tends to worsen slightly over the summer (13).…”