2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

Home Events & Meetings Annual Meeting Schedule & Program

Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

336388
Gender differences in diet and physical activity in Hispanics with Type 2 diabetes


Sunday, November 1, 2015

Marylyn McEwen, PhD, MS, BSN, College of Nursing, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Alice Pasvogel, PhD, RN, University of Arizona College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Carolyn Murdaugh, PhD, RN, FAAN, University of Arizona College of Nursing, The Univeristy of Arizona, Tucs
Joseph Hepworth, PhD, College of Nursing, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Background: Few studies have addressed gender differences in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management activities in Hispanics.  The purpose is to explore differences in dietary consumption and physical activity between Hispanics males and females with T2DM. 

Methods: Mexican American adults with T2DM (Female N=93; Male N=50) completed baseline questionnaires for an experimental study. Measures included demographic, physical activity and healthy eating. Independent samples t-test was used to test for gender differences in dietary consumption and physical activity.

Results:  Age ranged from 35 to 75 (mean 53.27, SD 9.0), time with diabetes ranged from 1 to 40 years (mean 11.09, SD 7.3) the majority were married (71.3%), with less than a high school education (68.6%) and had a family income less than $20,000 (64.4%).  A1C was slightly higher for men (10.19) than for women (9.80) and BMI was less for men (32.4) than for women (33.2). There were no significant differences between males and females on demographic characteristics.  Fat consumption was higher for males than females (p=.001); vegetable consumption was higher for females (p=.023). Males were more physically active as measured by vigorous activity (p=.009), walking (p=.043) and total physical activity (p=.003). 

Conclusions:   Women with T2DM reported healthier eating but were less physically active.  However, based on the findings as well as A1C and BMI, both genders are not eating a healthy diet for diabetes and are not physically active. Understanding gender differences in T2DM management activities is critical to tailoring interventions that optimize self-management behaviors. 

Learning Areas:

Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related nursing
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe gender differences in diabetes management activities related to healthy eating and physical activity in a sample of Mexican American adults who participated in a community-based experimental study.

Keyword(s): Diabetes, Chronic Disease Management and Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been conducting community-based research with Mexican American adults with T2DM for the past 15 years. Education and modification of diabetes self-management behaviors, including diet and exercise has been a primary focus of my research.
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: 2049.0: Public Health Nursing & Environmental Health Posters