Mixed methods study assesses Stelo's impact on behavior change and glycemic outcomes in users without diabetes.
Introduction and Objective: The Dexcom Stelo Glucose Biosensor offers real-time glucose insights to help people not on insulin understand how behaviors affect glucose. Evidence on how such insights drive early behavior change in people with no diabetes (ND), prediabetes (PreD), or type 2 diabetes (T2D) is limited. This mixed methods study assessed how Stelo feedback and engagement relate to glycemic outcomes and motivation to optimize health behaviors. Methods: First 30 days of real-world Stelo data were analyzed, including demographics, glycemic metrics, and spike-related behavior logging (SBL). Users completed surveys on behaviors and perceived changes. Semi-structured interviews with a subset (n=20) explored motivations and how insights shaped confidence and daily decision-making. Transcripts were thematically analyzed. Results: Among 481 users (38% ≥ 65+ years; 49% female; BMI 29 ± 6 kg/m2; 29% ND, 26% PreD, 45% T2D), mean glucose varied from ND to T2D (30-day mean ± SD mg/dL: 108 ± 15, 116 ± 17, 145 ± 28; p <0.001). Across 30 days, users reported greater awareness, confidence, and positive shifts in eating patterns and physical activity. Users with above-median SBL showed higher TIR than less engaged users (p<0.05). Themes showed that (1) users were motivated to understand glucose patterns, and Stelo enabled accessible, real-time learning, (2) continuous data promoted accountability, (3) iterative self-learning supported behavior change, and (4) Stelo data facilitated conversations with clinicians. Among GLP-1 RA users (2 of 20, both T2D), Stelo was described as a strong complement to diabetes therapy, reinforcing day-to-day self-management. Conclusion: Stelo’s insights supported meaningful early behavior change, strengthening users’ understanding of glucose patterns and encouraging healthier eating and activity habits. Findings underscore Stelo’s potential as a scalable, insight-driven tool for supporting metabolic health. Disclosure M. Crawford: Employee; Current; Dexcom, Inc. N. Gopisetty: Employee; Current; Dexcom, Inc. C. Hicks: Employee; Current; Dexcom, Inc. A. Carite: Employee; Current; Dexcom, Inc. H. Singh: Employee; Current; Dexcom, Inc.
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Crawford et al. (2026) studied this question.
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