259619 Life in BALANCE: Diabetes Prevention Among an Urban Indian Population

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 8:45 AM - 9:00 AM

Michelle Chino, PhD , School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Carolee Dodge Francis, EdD , American Indian Research and Education Center, University of Nevada Las Vegas, School of Public Health, Las Vegas, NV
Daniel Benyshek, PhD , Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Chad Cross, PhD, PStat(R) , School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
     
Background: Diabetes is recognized as an epidemic among American Indians in the US and the individual and population-level benefits of accomplishing consistent glucose control and preventing diabetes complications are clear. While the national Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) programs have contributed much to diabetes prevention and control among reservation-based populations, little has been studied among urban Indian populations. A community-based, participatory, translational pilot research study combining knowledge and action with intensive lifestyle coaching was conducted among an urban Indian population to improve modifiable risk factors (overweight, obesity and/or sedentary lifestyle), achieve good glucose control, and prevent/delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Methods: Urban American Indians living in Las Vegas, Nevada with prediabetes participated in a 16-week curriculum with lifestyle health coaching, based on the DPP Lifestyle Intervention. American Indian graduate students served as the life coaches. RM-ANOVA was used to analyze clinical measures recorded at baseline, at four months, and 3 months post program. A comprehensive survey was administered pre and post participation. Results:Preliminary findings reveal significant changes in HDL, BMI TC/HDL and waist circumference. Weight loss went from a mean of 95.741kg to 91.067 kg. Health perceptions and behaviors also showed positive differences including improvements to self-reported health status. Discussion: A brief but targeted intervention can lead to important positive changes in diabetes risk reduction. The ability of the participants to achieve consistent glucose control, modify behaviors and loose weight is persuasive and a replicable methodology for public health research and practice.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Compare diabetes prevention approaches for reservation based and urban Indian populations. Identify one or more unique needs of urban Indians with prediabetes Articulate the benefits of lifestyle coaching for diabetes prevention

Keywords: Diabetes, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the PI for the NIH grant which funded this research. I have been the Principal investigator on multiple federally funded grants focused on prevention and capacity building. I have worked extensively with both American Indian and mainstream populations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4065.0: Developing and Evaluating Culturally-Appropriate Diabetes Education Interventions