Types of Family Support for Healthy Dietary and Exercise Behaviors Among Pre-Diabetic Latino/As

Introduction: In general, family support for health behaviors has been associated with cardiometabolic health. However, forms of family support among Latino/as have not been well studied. This study assessed types of support occurring among Latino families, hypothesizing that individuals who receive greater family support will engage in healthier dietary and exercise behaviors that can enhance cardiometabolic health. We also examined cultural influences on family support and related health behaviors. Methods: This study recruited 35 Latinos/as with pre-diabetes from the Maricopa County Diabetes Registry. The mean age was 37.57 years (SD=11.19). Most of the participants identified as immigrants (71.4%), with an average length of residence in the US of 13.22 years (SD=7.31). Structured mixed methods interviews were conducted by trained bilingual/bicultural research assistants and then transcribed. Two independent coders performed Integrative Mixed Methods (Castro et al., 2010) thematic analyses to identify Thematic Categories for focus questions: “Who in your family helps you eat a healthy diet/exercise to be physically fit, and how?” Thematic categories were then Scale Coded to assess levels of support using a 4-point Likert-like scale (i.e. 0=absent, 3=emphatic). This Scale Coding converted nominal-level Thematic Categories to Likert-like Thematic Variables. Coding discrepancies were reconciled in a roundtable discussion. Cardiometabolic health status was assessed by physiological measures obtained from blood draws, including: BMI, LDL, HDL, HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, 2-hour glucose and fasting blood glucose levels. Correlation analyses examined hypothesized associations among types of family support, frequencies of dietary and exercise behaviors, and cardiometabolic measures. Results: Results partially supported our hypothesis. For diet, individuals who received more Emotional Support for Diet exhibited a higher frequency per week of high caloric dietary behaviors (r=.32, p=.04) and lower 2-hour glucose levels (r=-.31, p=.04). These individuals also exhibited higher levels of acculturation to American culture (r=.53, p<.01) and a higher family orientation (r=.54, p=.04). For exercise, those receiving more Emotional Support for Exercise exhibited higher frequencies of exercise behaviors (r=.37, p=.02), higher HDL (r=.41, p=.01) and lower 2-hour glucose levels (r=-.31, p=.05), while also receiving more Companionship Support for Exercise (r=.49, p=.01). The category of Companionship Support emerged as a Latino-culturally-specific form of social support. We will conduct a mixed methods Storyline Analysis to recontextualize the meaning of these significant correlations. Conclusion: For Latino/as, our results highlight the importance of familial Emotional Support for motivating exercise behaviors, and for attaining healthy levels of HDL and blood glucose levels, consistent with reducing cardiometabolic risks.