Food exchange estimation by children with type 1 diabetes at summer camp

BACKGROUND: As exchange counting poses difficulty for children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) attending diabetes camps, they often guesstimate food amount without performing an exchange calculation. The aim of the study was to compare the accuracy of estimation with exchange counting using the mobile food exchange calculator (MFEC). METHODS: During a summer camp, 25 children with T1D on pumps estimated the number of carbohydrate (CE) and fat/protein exchanges (FPE) appropriate for main meals. Afterwards, the number of exchanges was counted with MFEC and electronic scales. RESULTS: There was a difference between CE (p<0.0001) and FPE (p<0.0001) estimations and counting using MFEC. The youth miscalculated the true values of ≥1 CE and ≥1 FPE by 31% and 23%, respectively. They more often underestimated than overestimated CE and FPE (p<0.0001). The estimation error increased with younger age. CONCLUSIONS: Carbohydrate counting caused significant error in the exchange number. The use of MFEC facilitates correct exchange calculation. Patients should weigh food and calculate exchanges themselves using mobile applications.