scholarly journals Development and Feasibility of an App to Decrease Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes in Hispanic Women With Recent Gestational Diabetes (Hola Bebé, Adiós Diabetes): Pilot Pre-Post Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen W Seely ◽  
Patricia Flynn Weitzman ◽  
Dharma Cortes ◽  
Sara Romero Vicente ◽  
Sue E Levkoff

BACKGROUND Hispanic women have increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which carries an increased risk for future type 2 diabetes, compared to non-Hispanic women. In addition, Hispanic women are less likely to engage in healthy eating and physical activity, which are both risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Supporting patients to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors through mobile health (mHealth) interventions is increasingly recognized as a viable, underused tool for disease prevention, as they reduce barriers to access frequently experienced in face-to-face interventions. Despite the high percentage of smartphone ownership among Hispanics, mHealth programs to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes in Hispanic women with prior GDM are lacking. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to (1) develop a mobile app (¡Hola Bebé, Adiós Diabetes!) to pilot test a culturally tailored, bilingual (Spanish/English) lifestyle program to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes in Hispanic women with GDM in the prior 5 years; (2) examine the acceptability and usability of the app; and (3) assess the short-term effectiveness of the app in increasing self-efficacy for both healthy eating and physical activity, and in decreasing weight. METHODS Social cognitive theory provided the framework for the study. A prototype app was developed based on prior research and cultural tailoring of content. Features included educational audiovisual modules on healthy eating and physical activity; personal action plans; motivational text messages; weight tracking; user-friendly, easy-to-follow recipes; directions on building a balanced plate; and tiered badges to reward achievements. Perceptions of the app’s acceptability and usability were explored through four focus groups. Short-term effectiveness of the app was tested in an 8-week single group pilot study. RESULTS In total, 11 Hispanic women, receiving care at a federally qualified community health center, aged 18-45 years, and with GDM in the last 5 years, participated in four focus groups to evaluate the app’s acceptability and usability. Participants found the following sections most useful: audiovisual modules, badges for completion of activities, weight-tracking graphics, and recipes. Suggested modifications included adjustments in phrasing, graphics, and a tiering system of badges. After app modifications, we conducted usability testing with 4 Hispanic women, with the key result being the suggestion for a “how-to tutorial.” To assess short-term effectiveness, 21 Hispanic women with prior GDM participated in the pilot. There was a statistically significant improvement in both self-efficacy for physical activity (<i>P</i>=.003) and self-efficacy for healthy eating (<i>P</i>=.007). Weight decreased but not significantly. Backend process data revealed a high level of user engagement. CONCLUSIONS These data support the app’s acceptability, usability, and short-term effectiveness, suggesting that this mHealth program has the potential to fill the gap in care experienced by Hispanic women with prior GDM following pregnancy. Future studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of an enhanced app in a randomized controlled trial. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04149054; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04149054

10.2196/19677 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. e19677
Author(s):  
Ellen W Seely ◽  
Patricia Flynn Weitzman ◽  
Dharma Cortes ◽  
Sara Romero Vicente ◽  
Sue E Levkoff

Background Hispanic women have increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which carries an increased risk for future type 2 diabetes, compared to non-Hispanic women. In addition, Hispanic women are less likely to engage in healthy eating and physical activity, which are both risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Supporting patients to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors through mobile health (mHealth) interventions is increasingly recognized as a viable, underused tool for disease prevention, as they reduce barriers to access frequently experienced in face-to-face interventions. Despite the high percentage of smartphone ownership among Hispanics, mHealth programs to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes in Hispanic women with prior GDM are lacking. Objective This study aimed to (1) develop a mobile app (¡Hola Bebé, Adiós Diabetes!) to pilot test a culturally tailored, bilingual (Spanish/English) lifestyle program to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes in Hispanic women with GDM in the prior 5 years; (2) examine the acceptability and usability of the app; and (3) assess the short-term effectiveness of the app in increasing self-efficacy for both healthy eating and physical activity, and in decreasing weight. Methods Social cognitive theory provided the framework for the study. A prototype app was developed based on prior research and cultural tailoring of content. Features included educational audiovisual modules on healthy eating and physical activity; personal action plans; motivational text messages; weight tracking; user-friendly, easy-to-follow recipes; directions on building a balanced plate; and tiered badges to reward achievements. Perceptions of the app’s acceptability and usability were explored through four focus groups. Short-term effectiveness of the app was tested in an 8-week single group pilot study. Results In total, 11 Hispanic women, receiving care at a federally qualified community health center, aged 18-45 years, and with GDM in the last 5 years, participated in four focus groups to evaluate the app’s acceptability and usability. Participants found the following sections most useful: audiovisual modules, badges for completion of activities, weight-tracking graphics, and recipes. Suggested modifications included adjustments in phrasing, graphics, and a tiering system of badges. After app modifications, we conducted usability testing with 4 Hispanic women, with the key result being the suggestion for a “how-to tutorial.” To assess short-term effectiveness, 21 Hispanic women with prior GDM participated in the pilot. There was a statistically significant improvement in both self-efficacy for physical activity (P=.003) and self-efficacy for healthy eating (P=.007). Weight decreased but not significantly. Backend process data revealed a high level of user engagement. Conclusions These data support the app’s acceptability, usability, and short-term effectiveness, suggesting that this mHealth program has the potential to fill the gap in care experienced by Hispanic women with prior GDM following pregnancy. Future studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of an enhanced app in a randomized controlled trial. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04149054; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04149054


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marsha L. Tracey ◽  
Sheena M. McHugh ◽  
Anthony P. Fitzgerald ◽  
Claire M. Buckley ◽  
Ronan J. Canavan ◽  
...  

Objective. To explore risk factors for macro- and microvascular complications in a nationally representative sample of adults aged 50 years and over with type 2 diabetes in Ireland.Methods. Data from the first wave of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) (2009–2011) was used in cross-sectional analysis. The presence of doctor diagnosis of diabetes, risk factors, and macro- and microvascular complications were determined by self-report. Gender-specific differences in risk factor prevalence were assessed with the chi-squared test. Binomial regression analysis was conducted to explore independent associations between established risk factors and diabetes-related complications.Results. Among 8175 respondents, 655 were classified as having type 2 diabetes. Older age, being male, a history of smoking, a lower level of physical activity, and a diagnosis of high cholesterol were independent predictors of macrovascular complications. Diabetes diagnosis of 10 or more years, a history of smoking, and a diagnosis of hypertension were associated with an increased risk of microvascular complications. Older age, third-level education, and a high level of physical activity were protective factors (p<0.05).Conclusions. Early intervention to target modifiable risk factors is urgently needed to reduce diabetes-related morbidity in the older population in Ireland.


2021 ◽  
pp. 155982762110024
Author(s):  
Alyssa M. Vela ◽  
Brooke Palmer ◽  
Virginia Gil-Rivas ◽  
Fary Cachelin

Rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus continue to rise around the world, largely due to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, overeating, and lack of physical activity. Diet and eating is often the most challenging aspect of management and, when disordered, has been associated with increased risk for diabetes-related complications. Thus, there is a clear need for accessible and evidence-based interventions that address the complex lifestyle behaviors that influence diabetes management. The current study sought to assess the efficacy and acceptability of a pilot lifestyle intervention for women with type 2 diabetes and disordered eating. The intervention followed a cognitive behavioral therapy guided-self-help (CBTgsh) model and included several pillars of lifestyle medicine, including: diet, exercise, stress, and relationships. Ten women completed the 12-week intervention that provided social support, encouraged physical activity, and addressed eating behaviors and cognitions. Results indicate the lifestyle intervention was a feasible treatment for disordered eating behaviors among women with type 2 diabetes and was also associated with improved diabetes-related quality of life. The intervention was also acceptable to participants who reported satisfaction with the program. The current CBTgsh lifestyle intervention is a promising treatment option to reduce disordered eating and improve diabetes management.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6444
Author(s):  
Anna Gabryanczyk ◽  
Sylwia Klimczak ◽  
Izabela Szymczak-Pajor ◽  
Agnieszka Śliwińska

There is mounting evidence that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is related with increased risk for the development of cancer. Apart from shared common risk factors typical for both diseases, diabetes driven factors including hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and low grade chronic inflammation are of great importance. Recently, vitamin D deficiency was reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, including T2DM and cancer. However, little is known whether vitamin D deficiency may be responsible for elevated cancer risk development in T2DM patients. Therefore, the aim of the current review is to identify the molecular mechanisms by which vitamin D deficiency may contribute to cancer development in T2DM patients. Vitamin D via alleviation of insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, oxidative stress and inflammation reduces diabetes driven cancer risk factors. Moreover, vitamin D strengthens the DNA repair process, and regulates apoptosis and autophagy of cancer cells as well as signaling pathways involved in tumorigenesis i.e., tumor growth factor β (TGFβ), insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and Wnt-β-Cathenin. It should also be underlined that many types of cancer cells present alterations in vitamin D metabolism and action as a result of Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) and CYP27B1 expression dysregulation. Although, numerous studies revealed that adequate vitamin D concentration prevents or delays T2DM and cancer development, little is known how the vitamin affects cancer risk among T2DM patients. There is a pressing need for randomized clinical trials to clarify whether vitamin D deficiency may be a factor responsible for increased risk of cancer in T2DM patients, and whether the use of the vitamin by patients with diabetes and cancer may improve cancer prognosis and metabolic control of diabetes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Martinez-Gomez ◽  
Irene Esteban-Cornejo ◽  
Esther Lopez-Garcia ◽  
Esther García-Esquinas ◽  
Kabir P Sadarangani ◽  
...  

ObjectivesWe examined the dose–response relationship between physical activity (PA) and incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in adults in Taiwan.MethodsThis study included 1 98 919 participants, aged 18–97 years, free of CVD, cancer and diabetes at baseline (1997–2013), who were followed until 2016. At baseline, participants were classified into five PA levels: inactive’ (0 metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-h/week), ‘lower insufficiently active’ (0.1–3.75 MET-h/week), ‘upper insufficiently active’ (3.75–7.49 MET-h/week), ‘active’ (7.5–14.99 MET-h/week) and ‘highly active’ (≥15 MET-h/week]. CVD risk factors were assessed at baseline and at follow-up by physical examination and laboratory tests. Analyses were performed with Cox regression and adjusted for the main confounders.ResultsDuring a mean follow-up of 6.0±4.5 years (range 0.5–19 years), 20 447 individuals developed obesity, 19 619 hypertension, 21 592 hypercholesterolaemia, 14 164 atherogenic dyslipidaemia, 24 275 metabolic syndrome and 8548 type 2 diabetes. Compared with inactive participants, those in the upper insufficiently active (but not active) category had a lower risk of obesity (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.88 to 0.95), atherogenic dyslipidaemia (0.96; 0.90 to 0.99), metabolic syndrome (0.95; 0.92 to 0.99) and type 2 diabetes (0.91; 0.86 to 0.97). Only highly active individuals showed a lower incidence of CVD risk factors than their upper insufficiently active counterparts.ConclusionCompared with being inactive, doing half the recommended amount of PA is associated with a lower incidence of several common biological CVD risk factors. Given these benefits, half the recommended amount of PA is an evidence based target for inactive adults.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document