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Diabetes, its risk factors and readiness to change lifestyle behaviours among Australian Samoans living in Sydney : Baseline data for church-wide interventions
Ndwiga, Dorothy W. McBride, Kate A. Simmons, David MacMillan, Freya
Ndwiga, Dorothy W.
McBride, Kate A.
Simmons, David
MacMillan, Freya
Abstract
Objectives
To describe the current prevalence of type 2 diabetes (diabetes) and readiness to change diet and physical activity among Samoans associated with churches in Sydney.
Methods
Residents aged ≥18 years attending four Samoan churches in Sydney were invited to participate in a church-wide lifestyle intervention. Participants completed questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, provided a non-fasting blood sample for HbA1c and random blood glucose (RBG) measurement, and performed a 6-minute walk test. Obesity was defined using a Pacific body mass index (BMI) threshold ≥32 kg/m2 and diabetes if HbA1c was ≥6.5%.
Results
In total, 131/187 (70%) of Samoans (mean age of 44.1 ± 15 years; Female 52%) participated. Diabetes was present in 33% of the population which included 20% previously diagnosed diabetes, duration 13.4 ± 6.7 years, (HbA1c 8.3 ± 2.5% and RBG 10.2 ± 4.1 mmol/L) and 13% had undiagnosed diabetes (HbA1c 8.1 ± 2.7% and RBG 10.3 ± 4.7 mmol/L). The overall baseline prevalence of obesity, high blood pressure and meeting the physical activity recommendation of ≥150 min/wk were 77%, 44% and 38% respectively. Over 90% of participants were contemplating, if not already taking action towards healthier diet choices and increasing physical activity.
Conclusions
Prevalence of diabetes and its risk factors were high among Samoans in Sydney with a high proportion with undiagnosed diabetes.
So what?
These findings highlight the need to prioritise the delivery of culturally appropriate interventions tailored to the needs of the Samoan community. The high level of healthy lifestyle contemplation suggests that the community would be receptive to such interventions.
Keywords
Australian Samoans, behaviour change, community-based interventions, diabetes, epidemiology, obesity
Date
2020
Type
Journal article
Journal
Health Promotion Journal of Australia
Book
Volume
31
Issue
2
Page Range
268-278
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
DOI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled