Mediators of lifestyle behavior change in Native Hawaiians: initial findings from the Native Hawaiian Diabetes Intervention Program.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association of stage of change with diet and exercise behaviors in response to a lifestyle intervention for Native Hawaiians (NHs).


METHODS
A family ('ohana) support lifestyle intervention was compared with a standard intervention in NHs with or at risk for diabetes in two rural communities in Hawaii (n = 147). Stage of change, as a hypothesized mediator of behavior change, and dietary and exercise behaviors were measured at baseline and at 1 year postintervention.


RESULTS
Stage of change was significantly associated with positive dietary and exercise behaviors. NHs receiving the 'ohana support (OS) intervention were more likely to advance from pre-action to action/maintenance for fat intake and physical activity than the group who received the standard intervention. Participants in the OS group who advanced from pre-action to action/maintenance showed more improvement in fat intake and physical activity than those in the standard group.


CONCLUSIONS
These initial findings suggest that stage of change is an important factor in mediating lifestyle behavior changes in persons with or at risk for diabetes and merits further study among minority populations at high risk for diabetes.
Mau
M K
MK
Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, USA. mmau@hawaii.edu
Glanz
K
K
Severino
R
R
Grove
J S
JS
Johnson
B
B
Curb
J D
JD
D000328:Adult; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006254:Hawaii; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber