Evaluation of a Diabetes Prevention Intervention for Korean American immigrants at Risk for Diabetes

PURPOSE: Despite the small but growing number of studies documenting the increasing prevalence of diabetes among Korean Americans, no culturally adapted interventions have been developed for Korean Americans at risk for diabetes. We evaluate the efficacy of a culturally tailored lifestyle intervention among Korean American immigrants at risk for diabetes in New York City (NYC). METHODS: Korean Americans at risk for diabetes were recruited into a culturally adapted, community health worker (CHW) intervention in NYC. Treatment group participants received 6 group sessions and 10 follow-up phone calls from CHWs over the 6-month period. Control participants received only the first session. Study outcomes included changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, physical activity (PA) and PA behaviors, nutrition behaviors, and diabetes knowledge. Paired t-tests and chi-square tests assessed group differences for each group for each outcome measure. RESULTS: The treatment group reported significant positive changes in recommended weekly PA, PA self-efficacy, PA barriers, nutrition self-efficacy, diabetes knowledge, weight, BMI, and systolic blood pressure compared with control participants. Generalized estimated equations models for repeated measures assessed change across time while adjusting for study arm, time point, and the interaction between study arm and time point. The intervention effect was significant for weekly moderate and vigorous PA, recommended weekly PA, PA self-efficacy, and diabetes knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that a culturally adapted lifestyle intervention for Korean American immigrants at risk for diabetes have the potential to improve behaviors associated with cardiovascular disease outcomes and diabetes prevention. Further research among Korean Americans is warranted.