Pilot Test of a Culturally Appropriate Diabetes Prevention Intervention for At-Risk Latina Women

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to test the preliminary effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a peer-led, culturally appropriate, Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)–based lifestyle intervention for Latina women at high-risk for type 2 diabetes (T2DM).MethodsParticipants (N = 61) were overweight/obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥25) Latina women with no diabetes, at elevated risk either due to midlife age (45-65 years; n = 37) or history of gestational diabetes mellitus (n = 24). The study used a 1-group pretest-posttest design and offered 12 weeks of peer-led education sessions in a community setting. The intervention targeted physical activity and dietary behaviors to facilitate weight reduction and included culturally appropriate content, age-specific health information, and stress/emotion management strategies. Clinical and self-report assessments were conducted at baseline, month 3, and month 6.ResultsMean participant age was 47.8 years (SD = 10.8). Most (91.2%) were born in Mexico, and 43.3...