Lawrence Latino Diabetes Prevention Project

Lawrence Latino Diabetes Prevention Project

The Lawrence Latino Diabetes Prevention Project (LLDPP) is a community-based translational research study which aims to reduce the risk of diabetes among Latinos who have a >30% probability of developing diabetes in the next 7.5 years per a predictive equation. The project was conducted in Lawrence, Massachusetts; a predominantly Caribbean-origin urban Latino community. Individuals were identified primarily from a community health center's patient panel, screened for study eligibility, randomized to either a usual care or a lifestyle intervention condition, and followed for one year.

The group format of the intervention included 13 group sessions complemented by 3 individual home contacts over one year and was implemented by individuals from the community with training and supervision by a clinical research nutritionist and a behavioral psychologist. Study measures included demographics, Stern predictive equation components (age, gender, ethnicity, fasting glucose, systolic blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol, body mass index, and family history of diabetes), glycosylated hemoglobin, dietary intake, physical activity, depressive symptoms, social support, and quality of life. Body weight was measured at baseline, 6-months, and one-year; all other measures were assessed at baseline and one-year. All surveys were orally administered in Spanish.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Is Latino/Hispanic;
• Has a 7.5 year likelihood of becoming diabetic of greater than or equal to 30% as predicted by the Stern formula;
• Is greater than or equal to 25 years of age;
• Has a BMI greater than or equal to 24 kg m2.

Exclusion Criteria:

• An inability or unwillingness to give informed consent;
• Has clinically diagnosed diabetes, or a fasting blood sugar of greater than or equal to 126 mg/dl;
• Plans to move out of the area within the study period;
• Has a psychiatric illness which limits ability to participate;
• Has no telephone;
• Is unable to walk unaided, or cannot walk five city blocks (1/4 mile) without stopping;
• Is not cleared for the PA component by the pt's GLFHC primary care provider;
• Has a medical conditions likely to limit lifespan;
• Is on medications or has a medical condition that interfere with the assessment for diabetes.