Race/Ethnicity and Gender Differences in Health Intentions and Behaviors for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
Author Information
Author(s): Gavin James R III, Fox Kathleen M, Grandy Susan
Primary Institution: Emory University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Are there differences in health intentions and behaviors regarding exercise and diet across racial-ethnic groups among adults with type 2 diabetes?
Conclusion
The study found significant differences in health intentions and behaviors across race-gender groups, with more Non-Hispanic African-American men and Hispanic men reporting higher levels of exercise compared to other groups.
Supporting Evidence
- More Non-Hispanic African-American men reported an intention to follow exercise recommendations than other groups.
- More Hispanic men reported high physical activity levels compared to other race-gender groups.
- Over 50% of respondents across all groups were classified as obese.
Takeaway
Different groups of people with diabetes have different ideas about being healthy and how to stay healthy, especially when it comes to exercise and diet.
Methodology
A cross-sectional analysis of the 2007 SHIELD US survey was conducted to evaluate self-reported health intentions and behaviors regarding exercise and diet among adults with type 2 diabetes.
Potential Biases
The supplemental minority sample may not be representative of the broader African-American or Hispanic populations in the U.S.
Limitations
The study relied on self-reported data for diabetes and obesity, which may introduce misclassification bias, and the survey was only available in English, potentially excluding non-English speakers.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 2526 Non-Hispanic Caucasian, 706 Non-Hispanic African-American, and 179 Hispanic adults with type 2 diabetes.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website