The Experience of Spanish-Speaking Latinos in Maintaining Dietary and Physical Activity Changes after the National Diabetes Prevention Program

ABSTRACT

Background

The impact of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (N-DPP) for Latinos post-program participation is uncertain.

Purpose

We examine the experiences of Latinos who participated in the N-DPP in continuing the dietary and physical activity changes learned in the program.

Methods

This is a qualitative descriptive interview study. We recruited 19 Latino adults who participated in a culturally and linguistically adapted N-DPP. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and report emerging themes.

Results

Participants discussed how the program improved their knowledge about healthier lifestyles, and shared specific tools and strategies that they used to maintain learned program behaviors. Factors related to discontinuation of behaviors included missing the group social support, losing commitment over time, and avoiding family conflict. Maintenance of behaviors was mainly facilitated by family support.

Discussion

Our study suggests that Latinos who participated in the N-DPP gained useful knowledge on healthier behaviors and learning strategies for implementation into their lifestyle, but barriers remain.

Translation to Health Education Practice

Adaptations of the program for Latinos should consider the important roles of family and social support to improve N-DPP outcomes for this group and better support Latinos in preventing diabetes.

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the N-DPP participants who graciously shared their time and experiences. The authors would like to thank Dr. Won Choi for providing the funds to reimburse participants. Thank you to Pedro Parra Diaz for his support in the data collection process. TF is also thankful for the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), which provided a scholarship for her to pursue doctoral education in the U.S.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/19325037.2023.2187487.

Notes

a. We used the term Latino interchangeably with Hispanic, Latina, or Latinx.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.