Systematic Review on Diabetes Prevention Focusing on Barriers and Facilitators to Lifestyle Changes in US South Asians Open Access

Stephney, Lydia (Spring 2022)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/b8515p69g?locale=en
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Abstract

There is an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes among South Asians living in the United States. Lifestyle practices, migration to the U.S., and epigenetic mechanisms could possibly explain this elevated risk. In the U.S., there is limited information on how to design intervention programs for South Asians. For successful implementation of lifestyle change, further research must be done on the South Asian culture, including their barriers and motivators. This systematic review aims to describe the previously reported barriers and facilitators to lifestyle changes in U.S. South Asians and determine how culturally tailored programs been modified to South Asian lifestyle behaviors and preferences. 

PubMed was used to search for papers using the identify studies published between 2014-2022 describing barriers or facilitators to healthy diets or physical activity and diabetes prevention programs among U.S. South Asians. The PubMed database identified 7,694 articles. After removing of duplicates and ineligible article, four articles were retrieved and used for this study. 

Common barriers for diabetes prevention included gender roles, immigration, social context, family priorities, and the role of food.. Motivators for diet and physical activity include family, diabetes education, emphasis on monitoring and health outcomes, and an environment tailored to South Asian norms. 

Interventions used in this population include culturally tailored lifestyle programs with dietary and physical activity components. 

Diabetes prevention programs tailored to the South Asian culture might be beneficial. It is important to address common barriers because diabetes is significant problem in the South Asian population. Future recommendations include developing group or family-based prevention programs to leverage motivating factors for healthy lifestyles mentioned by this population and encourage social support. 

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction 1

1.1 Background and Significance 1

1.2 Problem Statement 2

1.3  Purpose 3

1.4 Research Questions 3

Chapter 2: Literature Review 4

Chapter 3: Methods 11

Chapter 4: Results 13

Chapter 5: Discussion 22

References 29

Appendix A 34

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