TITLE:
Prevention of type 2 diabetes in urban American Indian/Alaskan Native communities: The Life in BALANCE pilot study
AUTHORS:
Daniel C. Benyshek, Michelle Chino, Carolee Dodge-Francis, Toricellas O. Begay, Hongbin Jin, Celeste Giordano
KEYWORDS:
Type 2 Diabetes; Community-Based Participatory Research; Prevention; American Indian/Alaskan Native; Urban
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Diabetes Mellitus,
Vol.3 No.4,
October
16,
2013
ABSTRACT: Objective: The Life in BALANCE (LIB) study is a pilot translational study modeling the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) intensive lifestyle coaching intervention among an underserved, high-risk population: American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in a large urban setting (Las Vegas, Nevada). Research Design and Methods: A total of 22 overweight/obese AI/ANs (age, 39.6 ± 10.4 years; BMI, 34.1 ± 6.3 kg/m2) at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes (HbA1c > 5.4 (36 mmol/mol) Results: Only 12 of the 22 participants remainedin the LIB program at the final post-program follow-up. Participants demonstrated significant decreased waist circumference and elevated HDL cholesterol. Triglycerides manifested the highest percentage change without statistical significance. No significant change was observed in blood pressure or fasting blood glucose. Conclusions: LIB participants’ improvements in BMI, waist circumference, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides suggests type 2 diabetes prevention programs aimed at urban AI/ANs show significant potential for reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes among this underserved and high risk community. Qualitative data suggest the main challenge for type 2 diabetes prevention specific to this population is a need for improved community outreach strategies.