Dediabetes Logo
Questions
Published answers connected to evidence
Clinical Reference
Detailed intervention and outcome dossiers
Latest Research
Newest studies
About
How deDiabetes works
Settings
Login / Sign-up
Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Carbohydrate counting improves metabolic control in youth with type 1 diabetes

Powered by the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework

Last updated September 2, 2026

Key finding

Mean values of HbA1c at the end of the second year were significantly lower in the carb counting group (p=0.010).

This study investigated the effects of carbohydrate counting on metabolic control in children and adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, finding significant reductions in HbA1c levels.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.

Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study investigated the effects of carbohydrate counting on metabolic control in children and adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, finding significant reductions in HbA1c levels.

Clinical relevance

Improving metabolic control in children and adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is crucial for reducing long-term complications associated with the disease. The findings suggest that carbohydrate counting can be an effective dietary strategy to enhance glycemic control and potentially improve overall health outcomes in this population.

Keep in mind

The study's sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings. The duration of the study may not capture long-term effects of carbohydrate counting. Potential confounding factors were not fully controlled.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Damla G, Yasemin AA, Samim &, Günay D, Şükran D. Effects of Carbohydrate Counting on Metabolic Control in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology. 2014;6(2):74-78. doi:10.4274/jcrpe.1191

View DOIView on PubMedView on PMC

Main Effects

Carbohydrate counting led to a significant reduction in HbA1c levels by 0.89% (p=0.010).

High-density lipoprotein levels increased significantly in the carbohydrate counting group (0.15 mmol/L, p=0.02).

No significant differences were found in BMI SDS, total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, or daily insulin doses.

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Carbohydrate Counting and BMI, High-density lipoprotein, Low-density lipoprotein, and 4 more.

This study contributes evidence to

Intervention

Carbohydrate Counting

Outcome

BMI

Evidence topic

HbA1c Reduction

Primary intervention

Carbohydrate Counting

Primary outcomes

  • BMI
  • High-density lipoprotein
  • Low-density lipoprotein

Evidence topics

HbA1c ReductionWeight Loss

Primary intervention

Carbohydrate Counting

Primary outcomes

BMIHigh-density lipoproteinLow-density lipoprotein

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

7
Evidence pairs
7
Relationships
2
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 64

2

Related topics

7

Evidence pairs

841

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 7 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 2 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Add related evidence to your Evidence Tracker

Save studies and evidence pages, organize your personal Evidence Tracker, and keep the research you care about in one place.

Primary evidence

Evidence topic

HbA1c Reduction

matched_outcome

Related evidence

Evidence topic

Weight Loss

Save evidence

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

BMI

Carbohydrate Counting → BMI

Carbohydrate Counting → BMI

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

High-density lipoprotein

Carbohydrate Counting → High-density lipoprotein

Carbohydrate Counting → High-density lipoprotein

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Low-density lipoprotein

Carbohydrate Counting → Low-density lipoprotein

Carbohydrate Counting → Low-density lipoprotein

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Reduction in Hemoglobin A1C levels

Carbohydrate Counting → Reduction in Hemoglobin A1C levels

Carbohydrate Counting → Reduction in Hemoglobin A1C levels

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Total cholesterol

Carbohydrate Counting → Total cholesterol

Carbohydrate Counting → Total cholesterol

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Total daily insulin dose

Carbohydrate Counting → Total daily insulin dose

Carbohydrate Counting → Total daily insulin dose

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Triglycerides

Carbohydrate Counting → Triglycerides

Carbohydrate Counting → Triglycerides

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

Build your evidence library

Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.

evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • HbA1c levels decreased significantly in the carbohydrate counting group (p=0.010).
  • High-density lipoprotein levels increased significantly in the carbohydrate counting group (p=0.02).
  • No significant changes in BMI, cholesterol, or insulin doses were observed.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Children and adolescents diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
  • Patients seeking dietary interventions to improve metabolic control.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results may not be applicable to adults or those with Type 2 Diabetes.
  • The study did not explore the psychological impact of carbohydrate counting.
  • Further research is needed to assess long-term adherence and outcomes.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • The study's sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings.
  • The duration of the study may not capture long-term effects of carbohydrate counting.
  • Potential confounding factors were not fully controlled.

Evidence Library

Build your evidence library

Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.

Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

Powered by the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework

This study contributes to evidence on Carbohydrate Counting and Body Mass Index, Carbohydrate Counting and Insulin Resistance.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Carbohydrate Counting improve high-density lipoprotein?

Emerging Evidence

Carbohydrate Counting appears to improve high-density lipoprotein.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    High-density lipoprotein

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
View Full Evidence

What evidence is available on Carbohydrate Counting and reduction in hemoglobin a1c levels?

Emerging Evidence

Carbohydrate Counting appears to reduce reduction in hemoglobin a1c levels.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Reduction in Hemoglobin A1C levels

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
View Full Evidence

Does Carbohydrate Counting affect BMI?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear effect of Carbohydrate Counting on BMI.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    BMI

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
View Full Evidence

Does Carbohydrate Counting improve low-density lipoprotein?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Carbohydrate Counting for low-density lipoprotein.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Low-density lipoprotein

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
View Full Evidence
Learn how Evidence Intelligence™ works

Next steps

Continue your research

Choose a next path through related evidence topics, Evidence Explorer views, and research summaries.

Evidence topics

Follow the topics this study contributes to.

HbA1c Reduction Evidence HubWeight Loss Evidence Hub

Explore in Evidence Explorer

Open broader Evidence Explorer views for this relationship.

All studies on Carbohydrate Counting and Reduction in Hemoglobin A1C levelsAll studies on Carbohydrate Counting and BMIAll studies on Carbohydrate Counting and High-density lipoproteinAll studies on Carbohydrate Counting and Low-density lipoprotein

Related research

Read related research summaries.

Video education improves dietary compliance for diabetesBoth insulin adjustment methods effectively lower A1C in type 2 diabetes.Semaglutide improves liver health and lipid levels in diabetesCalcium and vitamin D may improve insulin sensitivity in prediabetes.Genetic variants linked to diabetes progression show little effect

No ads. No tracking.

Focused on evidence, not advertising.

Secure & private

Your data is always protected.

Always up to date

New studies added every day.