title: Sociocultural Influences on Diabetes Self-Management Behaviors in Older African Americans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this observational study was to describe the associations between cultural beliefs that are prevalent in older African Americans and adherence to diabetes self-management (DSM) behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a community population of 110 older African Americans with type 2 diabetes, the investigators administered surveys that assess present time orientation (PTO), future time orientation (FTO), and religiosity, as well as exercising habits, reading food labels, and checking blood glucose.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants who reported regularly exercising had significantly lower PTO scores and higher FTO and religiosity scores than participants who did not regularly exercise. Similarly, participants who reported reading food labels had lower PTO scores and higher FTO scores but did not differ in religiosity. Participants who reported checking blood glucose levels tended to have higher FTO scores but did not differ in PTO or religiosity. Participants who engaged in all three DSM behaviors had significantly lower PTO scores and higher FTO and religiosity scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data indicate that cultural diversity within older African Americans may influence DSM behaviors and contribute to disparities in diabetes outcomes in this high-risk population. Efforts to prevent complications of diabetes might benefit from consideration of these cultural factors.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pa.
authors.forename: Barry W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Rovner
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the same institution.
authors.forename: Robin J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Casten
authors.affiliation: Center in the Park in Philadelphia, Pa.
authors.forename: Lynn Fields
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Harris