Association between acculturation modes and type 2 diabetes among Native Hawaiians.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between acculturation modes (integrated, assimilated, traditional, and marginalized) and type 2 diabetes prevalence in Native Hawaiians.


METHODS
Cross-sectional data were analyzed from 495 Native Hawaiians, including acculturation modes, diabetes status, triglycerides, fasting insulin, BMI, age, and education level. Acculturation modes were assessed using an eight-item cultural affiliation questionnaire.


RESULTS
Native Hawaiians in a traditional mode of acculturation were more likely to have type 2 diabetes (27.9%) than those in integrated (15.4%), assimilated (12.5%), or marginalized (10.5%) modes.


CONCLUSIONS
The higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes among Native Hawaiians in a traditional mode of acculturation could not be attributed to any of the sociodemographic or biological factors included in this study. We discuss the role of psychosocial factors as possible mediators in the relationship between acculturation modes and type 2 diabetes.
Kaholokula
Joseph Keawe'aimoku
JK
Department of Native Hawaiian Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mnoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, USA. kaholoku@hawaii.edu
Nacapoy
Andrea H
AH
Grandinetti
Andrew
A
Chang
Healani K
HK
D000069:Acculturation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006254:Hawaii / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011114:Polynesia / Q000208:ethnology; D015995:Prevalence; D014944:World Health Organization