Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42321600›Full record

ArticleDiabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association2026

Barriers and enablers to physical activity in type 1 diabetes: A mixed-methods study of adults and parent-reported child perspectives in the UK.

Emma J Cockcroft, Chris Bright, Hilary Nathan, Dan Farrow, Catherine Russon, Richard M Pulsford, Robert C Andrews

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Emma J CockcroftDepartment of Health and Community Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3798-9492
Chris BrightBreakthroughT1D, London, UK.
Hilary NathanBreakthroughT1D, London, UK.
Dan FarrowBreakthroughT1D, London, UK.
Catherine RussonDepartment of Public Health and Sports Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK.
Richard M PulsfordDepartment of Public Health and Sports Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK.
Robert C AndrewsDepartment of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimsTo identify and compare barriers and enablers influencing physical activity in adults and parent-proxy responses for children with type 1 diabetes in the UK.

methodsA cross sectional survey was distributed via BreakthroughT1D (formerly JDRF) networks between December 2022 and January 2023. The survey included closed and open-ended questions on physical activity behaviours and influencing factors. Responses were collected from adults with type 1 diabetes and parent-proxy responses for children with type 1 diabetes. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and two-proportion z-tests. Free-text responses were analysed thematically. Barriers and enablers were synthesised using the COM-B model and socioecological framework to identify behavioural determinants and intervention targets.

results311 responses were analysed (182 adults; 129 parent proxies for children). Stigma and negative comments were reported by nearly three-quarters of both groups. Adults more frequently reported clinical and motivational barriers: fear of hypoglycaemia (53%) and lack of motivation (39%). Adults reported significantly less healthcare provider support for physical activity (24%) compared with parent-proxy responses for children (57%). Parent-proxy responses for children more frequently reported external barriers, including lack of education among coaches (31%).

conclusionThis is one of the first UK-based studies to comprehensively compare barriers and enablers across age groups. Stigma in physical activity and sports settings emerges as a major, under-recognised barrier requiring urgent attention. Multilevel interventions are required, targeting individual knowledge and motivation alongside systemic changes. These should include mandatory diabetes education for coaches and teachers, policy enforcement to address discrimination and enhanced healthcare provider support for physical activity.

Indexed as

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1ExerciseParentsAdolescentAdultChildCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHealth BehaviorHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansMaleMiddle AgedMotivationSocial StigmaSurveys and Questionnairesdiabetesexercisehealth behaviourintervention developmentstigma

Identifiers

PMID42321600
PMCPMC13643639

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.