Study: Diabetes-prevention Nutrition Programs Should Be Culturally Sensitive

Diabetes is one of the most serious health problems facing the African-American population in today's society. The American Diabetes Association says that Type 2 diabetes is more common among African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans and the aging population in this country. In fact, at least 3.2 million African Americans over the age of 20 have the disease. According to the ADA, African Americans are 1.8 times more likely to develop diabetes than non-Hispanic whites.

With the influx of information flooding the market consistently, it is easy for much of it to pass over those most at risk for the disease. However, a new study shows that when diabetes awareness and prevention programs are culturally sensitive, they have the most impact, specifically on the African-American population.

James Herbert Williams, Ph.D, conducted the study entitled, "Cultural Relevancy of a Diabetes Prevention Program for African American Women." It was co-authored by a team that included Wendy Auslander, Ph.D., professor of social work; Mary de Groot, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology at Ohio University; Cheryl Houston, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Human Environmental Sciences at Fontbonne University; Debra Haire-Joshu, Ph.D., professor of community health at Saint Louis University and Adjoa Dionne Robinson, Ph.D., research assistant at Portland State University.

Williams works in the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, as the E. Desmond Lee Professor of Racial and Ethnic Diversity. He says that the programs work more efficiently when they take into consideration the cultural differences that perpetuate the disease among targeted populations. "At the very least, (such programs) need to consider the traditional foods and recipes of the participants," Williams said in the study. "Programs for African-American women that are developed with Afrocentric values and culture in mind lead to greater program satisfaction for the participants and significant changes in eating habits."

One aspect of Williams' study was an intensive look at the "Eat Well Live Well Nutrition Program." The program, which is community-based, focuses on the development of a diabetes-prevention program for African-American women. It is a peer-led group that is specifically targeted at reducing the risk of getting Type 2 diabetes in African-American women, particularly those who live in low-income communities.

Williams says that the program, and others like it, are key to getting the attention of African-American at risk for the disease. This is because they address specific cultural dietary habits of the culture. "This program was developed with substantive input from the community," said Williams. "Participants helped shape teaching approaches and defined relevant course material. A group of women from the community also trained to become peer educators for the Eat Well Live Well Nutrition Program in their community."

For the study, Williams looked at 152 African-American women going through the Eat Well Live Well Nutrition Program. The demographics of those women were very much like the demographics of the general African-American female population. They were interviewed before they entered the program, when they completed it and six months after completion. The women gave Williams feedback on the program, with comments like: "The program helped me to feel good about how I am as a black woman" and "My peer educator was familiar with the type of food that people in my community eat."

African-American women can control their risk for getting type-2 diabetes by maintaining a consistent diet and exercise program. However, Williams says that programs aimed at supporting African-Americans struggling with or trying to prevent diabetes, should take into consideration the specific eating habits and foods eaten by African-American populations. "African-American disease prevalence and mortality from dietary-related diseases are disproportionately high. Although many factors may contribute to this, such as socioeconomic status, a lack of appropriate services contributes to this epidemic," he said. "It is important to include culturally relevant strategies based on Afrocentric principles to achieve the most effective program results."

The study was produced with funding by the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases and the Office of Minority Health Research Coordination.