Effectiveness and Acceptability of a Nutrition Intervention Targeting Chinese Adult Immigrants With Type 2 Diabetes...

Although culturally tailored diabetes treatment is recommended, there is a lack of relevant dietary resources for the Chinese population in Canada. In this study, we assessed the feasibility and efficacy of a culturally tailored menu plan combined with nutrition education on clinical outcomes, diet quality and qualitative outcomes among Chinese immigrants with type 2 diabetes.

Participants were 17 Chinese immigrants living with type 2 diabetes in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The design was a 12-week, single-arm intervention that included weekly nutrition education supported by a culturally tailored menu plan with mixed-methods evaluation. Diet quality, clinical and other outcomes were assessed pre- and postintervention. One-on-one interviews were conducted postintervention to identify program feasibility and obstacles to adherence.

Waist circumference (mean ± standard deviation: -2.0±2.5 cm; p=0.004), total cholesterol (-21.4±28.2 mg/dL; p=0.007) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-18.4±24.6 mg/dL; p=0.007) were decreased when compared with baseline. No significant change was detected in glycated hemoglobin. Postintervention, the Healthy Eating Index (p=0.01) and diabetes knowledge score (p=0.009) also increased. Participants reported that the program was culturally acceptable, easily understood and feasible to implement. Participants indicated the program helped them to improve their diabetes knowledge, adhere to the dietary guidelines, choose low glycemic index food and read food labels when shopping.

A flexible, culturally tailored menu plan was a feasible and effective tool for improving diabetes knowledge, diet quality and metabolic outcomes among Chinese immigrants with type 2 diabetes.