“I am not alone”. A qualitative feasibility study of eating disorders prevention groups for young females with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: The overall aim of the current study was to qualitatively explore the feasibility of eating disorder prevention groups for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHOD: A generic qualitative focus group design was applied. 17 participants accepted the invitation to attend focus group interviews after completing the intervention. Five focus groups were conducted in total. RESULTS: The qualitative analysis generated one overarching theme, named the benefit of meeting peers with a lived experience of T1D and body image concerns, and four themes: the need for an integrated focus on diabetes, personal relevance, providing sufficient balance between structure and flexibility and enabling a different perspective. CONCLUSION: Results show overall positive feedback regarding the content and structure of the intervention, and underline the importance of targeting preventive efforts to specific risk groups.