This study examines whether a health message that includes a self-affirmation intervention (where people reflect on values that are important to them) increases acceptance of the message and encourages people to take steps to prevent diabetes, as compared to a health message without the self affirmation intervention.

Background: Despite availability of evidence-based programs for diabetes prevention, few strategies exist to promote patients' interest in them. Strategies should be developed for racial/ethnic minority women with a history of gestational diabetes (GDM), who face exceptionally high risk for chronic diabetes. We previously found that a theory-based outreach message containing a streamlined values affirmation-two sentences prompting individuals to reflect on core personal values-increased women's likelihood of demonstrating interest in a preventive program. Extending this work, this pilot trial tests whether the values affirmation outreach message is as acceptable as (non-inferior to) a standard outreach message among African-American and Latina women.

Methods: Two-arm, parallel-group, randomized trial among English- and Spanish-speaking minority women with prior GDM and overweight/obesity in a healthcare system. Within an online survey, participants are randomized to read an outreach message promoting an existing preventive program. The message contains either a values affirmation (intervention condition) or no affirmation (control condition).

Inclusion Criteria:

• History of gestational diabetes
• Body mass index ≥25 kg/m2
• English or Spanish language

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current diabetes
• Current pregnancy

1 month

A priori, few risks were expected, with little to no risk of serious adverse events or mortality. Participants were given contact information to report any concerns about their safety and welfare.