Assessing the feasibility of promoting physical activity among low income Latinos diagnosed with diabetes: The Physical Activity System of Support (PASOS) program

Latinos diagnosed with diabetes are more likely to have poor diabetes control and health-related complications than non-Latino Whites. Randomized clinical trials have shown that increasing physical activity for patients diagnosed with diabetes can improve glucose and lipid levels, insulin resistance, and weight reduction goals. Nonetheless, there is scant evidence translating physical activity interventions for Latinos, particularly those with low income and limited English proficiency who may face greater challenges in adopting physical activity behavior change. We developed the Physical Activity System of Support (PASOS) program, a community-based intervention designed to increase physical activity among Latinos diagnosed with diabetes. The intervention consisted of culturally-tailored group-based exercises offered twice per week over an 8 week period. We describe the collaborative process we undertook to develop the intervention and the multi-level nature of the model, which incorporates healthcare providers, physical activity resources and the use of community outreach workers and text messaging to support behavior change. As a feasibility study, the study involved a single group pre and post-test design (n=30). The feasibility of the intervention is analyzed descriptively using data maintained by program staff and the physical activity facility. Pre-post change in study outcomes (physical activity minutes completed per week, self-reported measures of physical activity engagement, estimated VO2 max, heart rate, waist circumference, and blood pressure) are presented using mixed models. We present a novel approach for increasing physical activity among low income Latinos suffering from diabetes and discuss the implications of community-based models to support diabetes care for hard-to-reach populations.