A Lifestyle Change Program for Managing Diabetes

A Lifestyle Change Program for Managing Diabetes Among the Marshallese in Northwest Arkansas: A Pilot Trial

The proposed study aims to fill the gap by adapting an evidence-based intervention and conducting a pilot trial to determine the new program's estimated effect sizes on occupational resilience, A1c, and diabetes-related quality of life. Developing and adapting Lifestyle Redesign (LR) for Marshallese diabetes management is significant because it would reduce health disparities in a community that is disproportionately affected by the disease, and a large number of Marshallese (currently approximately 15,000) have resided in the northwest Arkansas region since the 1980s.

To pilot-test AHD Program, a lifestyle change intervention for diabetes management, and obtain estimates of effect sizes on occupational resilience, A1C, and diabetes-related quality of life. It is hypothesized that occupational resilience, diabetes-related quality of life, and A1C will be improved by the end of the program.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Marshallese Adults
• type 2 diabetes and test results (within 30 days) showing A1C greater than 6.4% or Estimated Average Glucose greater than 137 mg/dL.
• Able (and willing) to participate in exercise, diet management, and group dancing.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Marshallese who otherwise meet inclusion criteria but are not willing to commit to active participation in a lifestyle change intervention.
• Comorbidities that limit participation in the specified activities (i.e., stepper exercises, dieting, and dancing).