The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #74639

Sheila S. Tann, RN, ND, Jeremy pomeroy, and Steve Schoffstall. College of Nursing, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 872602, Tempe, AZ 85287-2602, 480 965-7558, sheila.tann@asu.edu

Background: The Gila River Indian Community, in central Arizona, has the highest documented prevalence rate of Type 2 Diabetes. In a grant-funded partnership between the Gila River Indian Community and the Indian Health Service Special Diabetes Grant Program, the Gila River Health Care Corporation developed an exercise-based wellness program aimed at improving glycemic control and quality of life in community members living with diabetes. Exercise programs have been shown to have positive outcomes in both primary and secondary prevention efforts in communities at high risk or experiencing high rates of type 2 diabetes. Methods: The intervention consisted of individually designed exercise programs incorporating medically appropriate activity to increase cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness. Those participating in the exercise program (n=30) were compared against a matched control group (n=43) on measures of height, weight, and HbA1c at baseline and intervals throughout the study duration (mean = 6 months). Results: Statistically significant decreases in mean HbA1c from baseline were noted in the intervention group using paired-samples t-test (t=5.476, sig .000) and ANOVA (F=26.877, sig .000). Post-intervention mean HbA1c for the study cohort was 6.5%; the decreases in mean cohort HbA1c (-1.88) were seen despite insignificant changes in weight. Conclusion: Study limitations include extraneous variables not controlled for, such as concurrent medication regimens and other self-management strategies. The results suggest that weight loss is not a co-requisite to exercise in improving glycemic control. These encouraging results indicate a need for community-wide dissemination and increased participation as an adjunct to medically-based diabetes care.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will understand the components of an exercise intervention that has been effective in lowering blood glucose in an American Indian population with type 2 diabetes. AND
• At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to plan an exercise intervention program in their communities based on the principles presented.

Keywords: American Indians, Diabetes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.