Native Hawaiian perspectives on the use of a culturally tailored weight loss intervention

Weight loss intervention programs such as the PILI (Partnerships for Improving Lifestyle Intervention) `Ohana Lifestyle Intervention (POLI) program, a culturally tailored version of the Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Intervention for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Peoples, facilitates weight loss and promotes a healthy lifestyle. The purpose of the present study was to identify aspects of POLI that worked and to inform the refinement of the 3-month POLI and development of a 15-month weight loss maintenance intervention for a 5-year study. 52 past participants from Ke Ola Mamo were invited to attend one of two scheduled focus groups, and 13 (25%) participated. Each focus group lasted 90 minutes. Focus group discussion focused on program intervention, use of a support person and recruitment. In addition to participating in the focus group, participants completed a survey. The survey included demographic questions and asked about their participation, satisfaction, supports and barriers related to weight loss and weight loss maintenance and compliance. Participants provided written and verbal consent. Focus group tapes were transcribed and analyzed. Thematic coding method was used to categorize data into two themes: facilitators to healthy living and barriers to healthy living. The findings indicated that successful weight loss and weight loss maintenance were supported through family and community interaction and having health education materials available. In addition, the culturally tailored health curriculum provided a resource to maintain weight. Support from the families and the community in combination with the use of culturally tailored health education program increased compliance with healthy living guidelines.