Top

Current Diabetes Reports

Published in:

01-12-2017 | Lifestyle Management to Reduce Diabetes/Cardiovascular Risk (B Conway and H Keenan, Section Editors)

Understanding Cultural Influences on Dietary Habits in Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latino Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Review of Current Literature and Future Directions

Authors: Natalie Mora, Sherita Hill Golden

Published in: Current Diabetes Reports | Issue 12/2017

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review focuses on evaluating and identifying gaps in the current literature regarding culturally specific dietary influences for patients with type 2 diabetes. As this topic has previously been examined in African American populations, we chose to focus on four other distinct populations (Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Western Pacific, South Asian). Given the rapid increase in global rates of type 2 diabetes and high rates of diabetes among certain ethnic groups, it is important to understand how culturally adapted strategies in diabetes management have been described in different regions and populations.

Recent Findings

The specific role of nutrition in controlling diabetes is tied to cultural habits and customs. Variation in cultural practices, including diet, create unique environments in which patients with diabetes must navigate.

Summary

The role of family, particularly among Hispanics, is crucial to cultural adaptations of diabetes management. Incorporating alternative medicine, namely observed in Chinese and Indian populations, also guided diabetes care strategies. Language barriers, health literacy, and acculturation were all unique factors affecting cultural approaches to diabetes management in these four populations. Understanding such cultural determinants is crucial to addressing diabetes disparities and improving outcomes.

Available only for authorised users

Rhee EJ. Diabetes in Asians. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2015;30(3):263–9. https://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2015.30.3.263.CrossRef

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report: estimates of diabetes and its burden in the United States, 2014. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2014.

Aitaoto N, Campo S, Snetselaar LG, Janz KF, Farris KB, Parker E, et al. Formative research to inform nutrition interventions in Chuuk and the US Pacific. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015;115(6):947–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2014.11.018.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Aponte J, Campos-Dominguez G, Jaramillo D. Understanding diabetes self-management behaviors among Hispanics in New York City. Hisp Health Care Int. 2015;13(1):19–26. https://doi.org/10.1891/1540-4153.13.1.19.CrossRefPubMed

Rosal MC, Ockene IS, Restrepo A, White MJ, Borg A, Olendzki B, et al. Randomized trial of a literacy-sensitive, culturally tailored diabetes self-management intervention for low-income latinos: latinos en control. Diabetes Care. 2011;34(4):838–44. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc10-1981.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Wang ML, Gellar L, Nathanson BH, Pbert L, Ma Y, Ockene I, et al. Decrease in glycemic index associated with improved glycemic control among Latinos with type 2 diabetes. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015;115(6):898–906. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2014.10.012.CrossRefPubMed

Hu J, Wallace DC, McCoy TP, Amirehsani KA. A family-based diabetes intervention for Hispanic adults and their family members. Diabetes Educ. 2014;40(1):48–59. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145721713512682.CrossRefPubMed

Golden SH, Brown A, Cauley JA, et al. Health disparities in endocrine disorders: biological, clinical, and nonclinical factors—an Endocrine Society scientific statement. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012;97(9):E1579–639.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Al-Khudairy L, Stranges S, Kumar S, Al-Daghri N, Rees K. Dietary factors and type 2 diabetes in the Middle East: what is the evidence for an association? A systematic review. Nutrients. 2013;5(10):3871–97. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu5103871.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

10.

Mohamed H, Al-Lenjawi B, Amuna P, Zotor F, Elmahdi H. Culturally sensitive patient-centred educational programme for self-management of type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial. Prim Care Diabetes. 2013;7(3):199–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcd.2013.05.002.CrossRefPubMed

11.

Tol A, Mohebbi B, Sadeghi R. Evaluation of dietary habits and related factors among type 2 diabetic patients: an innovative study in Iran. J Educ Health Promot. 2014;3:4. https://doi.org/10.4103/2277-9531.127548.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

12.

Bakker LE, Sleddering MA, Schoones JW, Meinders AE, Jazet IM. Pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes in South Asians. Eur J Endocrinol. 2013;169(5):R99–R114.CrossRefPubMed

13.

Joshi SR, Bhansali A, Bajaj S, Banzal SS, Dharmalingam M, Gupta S, et al. Results from a dietary survey in an Indian T2DM population: a STARCH study. BMJ Open. 2014;4(10):e005138. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2014-005138.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

14.

Sohal T, Sohal P, King-Shier KM, Khan NA. Barriers and facilitators for type-2 diabetes management in South Asians: a systematic review. PLoS One. 2015;10(9):e0136202. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0136202.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

15.

Spanakis EK, Golden SH. Race/ethnic difference in diabetes and diabetic complications. Curr Diab Rep. 2013;13(6):814–23.CrossRefPubMed

16.

Brunt MJ, Milbauer MJ, Ebner SA, Levenson SM, Millen BE, Quatromoni P, et al. Health status and practices of urban Caribbean Latinos with diabetes mellitus. Ethn Dis. 1998;8(2):158–66.PubMed

17.

Gonzélez C, Stern MP, Mitchell BD, Valdez RA, Haffner SM, Pérez BA. Clinical characteristics of type II diabetic subjects consuming high versus low carbohydrate diets in Mexico City and San Antonio. Texas Diabetes Care. 1994;17(5):397–404.CrossRefPubMed

18.

Brown SA, Kouzekanani K, García AA, Orlander PR, Hanis CL. Diabetes self-management and leptin in Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes: the Starr County border health initiative. Diabetes Educ. 2013;39(6):820–7. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145721713505153.CrossRefPubMed

19.

Santiago-Torres M, Kratz M, Lampe JW, Tapsoba Jde D, Breymeyer KL, Levy L, et al. Metabolic responses to a traditional Mexican diet compared with a commonly consumed US diet in women of Mexican descent: a randomized crossover feeding trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016;103(2):366–74. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.115.119016.CrossRefPubMed

20.

Mainous AG 3rd, Diaz VA, Geesey ME. Acculturation and healthy lifestyle among Latinos with diabetes. Ann Fam Med. 2008;6(2):131–7. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.814.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

21.

• Pérez-Escamilla R, Damio G, Chhabra J, Fernandez ML, Segura-Pérez S, Vega-López S, et al. Impact of a community health workers-led structured program on blood glucose control among Latinos with type 2 diabetes: the DIALBEST trial. Diabetes Care. 2015;38(2):197–205. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc14-0327. This article describes the impact of community health workers in providing diabetes management strategies for Hispanics with T2DM CrossRefPubMed

22.

Porter SJ, Chapman-Novakofski KM, Scherer JA. Your Guide to Diet and Diabetes: web-based diabetes education tailored to Hispanics. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2009;41(5):374–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2009.04.003.CrossRefPubMed

23.

Pérez-Escamilla R, Putnik P. The role of acculturation in nutrition, lifestyle, and incidence of type 2 diabetes among Latinos. J Nutr. 2007;137(4):860–70.PubMed

24.

Fernandez S, Olendzki B, Rosal MC. A dietary behaviors measure for use with low-income, Spanish-speaking Caribbean Latinos with type 2 diabetes: the Latino Dietary Behaviors Questionnaire. J Am Diet Assoc. 2011;111(4):589–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2011.01.015.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

25.

Salto LM, Cordero-MacIntyre Z, Beeson L, Schulz E, Firek A, De Leon M. En Balance participants decrease dietary fat and cholesterol intake as part of a culturally sensitive Hispanic diabetes education program. Diabetes Educ. 2011;37(2):239–53. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145721710394874.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

26.

Vazquez IM, Millen B, Bissett L, Levenson SM, Chipkin SR. Buena Alimentacion, Buena Salud: a preventive nutrition intervention in Caribbean Latinos with type 2 diabetes. Am J Health Promot. 1998;13(2):116–9.CrossRefPubMed

27.

Odegaard AO, Koh WP, Butler LM, Duval S, Gross MD, Yu MC, et al. Dietary patterns and incident type 2 diabetes in Chinese men and women: the Singapore Chinese Health Study. Diabetes Care. 2011;34(4):880–5. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc10-2350.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

28.

Yu R, Woo J, Chan R, Sham A, Ho S, Tso A, et al. Relationship between dietary intake and the development of type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population: the Hong Kong Dietary Survey. Public Health Nutr. 2011;14(7):1133–41. https://doi.org/10.1017/S136898001100053X.CrossRefPubMed

29.

Hsu CC, Jhang HR, Chang WT, Lin CH, Shin SJ, Hwang SJ, et al. Associations between dietary patterns and kidney function indicators in type 2 diabetes. Clin Nutr. 2014;33(1):98–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2013.04.010.CrossRefPubMed

30.

Yang L, Shu L, Jiang J, Qiu H, Zhao G, Zhou Y, et al. Long-term effect of dietary fibre intake on glycosylated haemoglobin A1c level and glycaemic control status among Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Public Health Nutr. 2014;17(8):1858–64. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980013002000.CrossRefPubMed

31.

Ma RC, Lin X, Jia W. Causes of type 2 diabetes in China. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2014;2(12):980–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(14)70145-7.CrossRefPubMed

32.

Chesla CA, Chun KM, Kwan CM. Cultural and family challenges to managing type 2 diabetes in immigrant Chinese Americans. Diabetes Care. 2009;32(10):1812–6. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc09-0278.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

33.

Xie W, Zhao Y, Zhang Y. Traditional chinese medicines in treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:726723. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/726723.PubMedPubMedCentral

34.

Ho EY, Chesla CA, Chun KM. Health communication with Chinese Americans about type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Educ. 2012;38(1):67–76. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145721711428774.CrossRefPubMed

35.

Braginsky N, Inouye J, Wang CY, Arakaki R. Perceptions related to diet and exercise among Asians and Pacific islanders with diabetes. Hawaii Med J. 2011;70(9):196–9.PubMedPubMedCentral

36.

• Liu H, Zhang M, Wu X, Wang C, Li Z. Effectiveness of a public dietitian-led diabetes nutrition intervention on glycemic control in a community setting in China. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2015;24(3):525–32. https://doi.org/10.6133/apjcn.2015.24.3.07. This study summarizes how a dietician-led nutrition intervention program in China positively influenced T2DM control PubMed

37.

Li SC, Liu YH, Liu JF, Chang WH, Chen CM, Chen CY. Almond consumption improved glycemic control and lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolism. 2011;60(4):474–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2010.04.009.CrossRefPubMed

38.

Wang H, Song Z, Ba Y, Zhu L, Wen Y. Nutritional and eating education improves knowledge and practice of patients with type 2 diabetes concerning dietary intake and blood glucose control in an outlying city of China. Public Health Nutr. 2014;17(10):2351–8. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980013002735.CrossRefPubMed

39.

Lawton J, Ahmad N, Hanna L, Douglas M, Bains H, Hallowell N. ‘We should change ourselves, but we can’t’: accounts of food and eating practices amongst British Pakistanis and Indians with type 2 diabetes. Ethn Health. 2008;13(4):305–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/13557850701882910.CrossRefPubMed

40.

Nicolaou M, Vlaar E, van Valkengoed I, Middelkoop B, Stronks K, Nierkens V. Development of a diabetes prevention program for Surinamese South Asians in the Netherlands. Health Promot Int. 2014;29(4):680–91. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/dat018.CrossRefPubMed

41.

Patel M, Patel IM, Patel YM, Rathi SK. Factors associated with consumption of diabetic diet among type 2 diabetic subjects from Ahmedabad. Western India J Health Popul Nutr. 2012;30(4):447–55.PubMed

42.

Khawaja KI, Fatima A, Mian SA, Mumtaz U, Moazzum A, Ghias M, et al. Glycaemic, insulin and ghrelin responses to traditional South Asian flatbreads in diabetic and healthy subjects. Br J Nutr. 2012;108(10):1810–7. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114511007264.CrossRefPubMed

43.

Balagopal P, Kamalamma N, Patel TG, Misra R. A community-based participatory diabetes prevention and management intervention in rural India using community health workers. Diabetes Educ. 2012;38(6):822–34. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145721712459890.CrossRefPubMed

44.

Gulati S, Misra A. Sugar intake, obesity, and diabetes in India. Nutrients. 2014;6(12):5955–74. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu6125955.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

45.

Gopichandran V, Lyndon S, Angel MK, Manayalil BP, Blessy KR, Alex RG, et al. Diabetes self-care activities: a community-based survey in urban southern India. Natl Med J India. 2012;25(1):14–7.PubMed

46.

Mohan V, Radhika G, Sathya RM, Tamil SR, Ganesan A, Sudha V. Dietary carbohydrates, glycaemic load, food groups and newly detected type 2 diabetes among urban Asian Indian population in Chennai, India (Chennai Urban Ruralpidemiologytudy 59). Br J Nutr. 2009;102(10):1498–506. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114509990468. Erratum in: Br J Nutr 2010 Jun;103(12):1851–2CrossRefPubMed

47.

• Wallia S, Bhopal RS, Douglas A, Bhopal R, Sharma A, Hutchison A, et al. Culturally adapting the prevention of diabetes and obesity in South Asians (PODOSA) trial. Health Promot Int. 2014;29(4):768–79. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/dat015. This article describes the strategies implemented to develop a culturally adapted lifestyle intervention program for Indians and Pakistanis with T2DM CrossRefPubMed

48.

Kapur K, Kapur A, Ramachandran S, Mohan V, Aravind SR, Badgandi M, et al. Barriers to changing dietary behavior. J Assoc Physicians India. 2008;56:27–32.PubMed

49.

Chacko E. Culture and therapy: complementary strategies for the treatment of type-2 diabetes in an urban setting in Kerala. India Soc Sci Med. 2003;56(5):1087–98.CrossRefPubMed

50.

Ghane Basiri M, Sotoudeh G, Djalali M, Reza Eshraghian M, Noorshahi N, Rafiee M, et al. Association of major dietary patterns with general and abdominal obesity in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2015;85(3–4):145–55. https://doi.org/10.1024/0300-9831/a000233.CrossRefPubMed

51.

Mosharraf S, Sharifzadeh G, Darvishzadeh-Boroujeni P, Rouhi-Boroujeni H. Impact of the components of Mediterranean nutrition regimen on long-term prognosis of diabetic patients with coronary artery disease. ARYA Atheroscler. 2013;9(6):337–42.PubMedPubMedCentral

52.

Abu-Saad K, Murad H, Lubin F, Freedman LS, Ziv A, Alpert G, et al. Jews and Arabs in the same region in Israel exhibit major differences in dietary patterns. J Nutr. 2012;142(12):2175–81. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.112.166611.CrossRefPubMed

53.

Negarandeh R, Mahmoodi H, Noktehdan H, Heshmat R, Shakibazadeh E. Teach back and pictorial image educational strategies on knowledge about diabetes and medication/dietary adherence among low health literate patients with type 2 diabetes. Prim Care Diabetes. 2013;7(2):111–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcd.2012.11.001.CrossRefPubMed

54.

Parham M, Heidari S, Khorramirad A, Hozoori M, Hosseinzadeh F, Bakhtyari L, et al. Effects of pistachio nut supplementation on blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized crossover trial. Rev Diabet Stud. 2014;11(2):190–6. https://doi.org/10.1900/RDS.2014.11.190.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

55.

Hosseinpour-Niazi S, Mirmiran P, Hedayati M, Azizi F. Substitution of red meat with legumes in the therapeutic lifestyle change diet based on dietary advice improves cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight type 2 diabetes patients: a cross-over randomized clinical trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2015;69(5):592–7. https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2014.228.CrossRefPubMed

56.

Al-Shookri A, Khor GL, Chan YM, Loke SC, Al-Maskari M. Effectiveness of medical nutrition treatment delivered by dietitians on glycaemic outcomes and lipid profiles of Arab, Omani patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabet Med. 2012;29(2):236–44. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-5491.2011.03405.x.CrossRefPubMed

57.

International Diabetes Federation 2012 Clinical Guidelines Task Force: Global guideline for type 2 diabetes. http://www.idf.org/guideline-type-2-diabetes. Published 2005, updated 2012.

Title: Understanding Cultural Influences on Dietary Habits in Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latino Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Review of Current Literature and Future Directions
Authors: Natalie Mora
Sherita Hill Golden
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Current Diabetes Reports / Issue 12/2017
Print ISSN: 1534-4827
Electronic ISSN: 1539-0829
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-017-0952-6

Live Webinar | 27-06-2024 | 18:00 (CEST)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Reserve your place

Live: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)

WHO estimates that half of all patients worldwide are non-adherent to their prescribed medication. The consequences of poor adherence can be catastrophic, on both the individual and population level.

Join our expert panel to discover why you need to understand the drivers of non-adherence in your patients, and how you can optimize medication adherence in your clinics to drastically improve patient outcomes.

Prof. Kevin Dolgin

Prof. Florian Limbourg

Prof. Anoop Chauhan

Developed by: Springer Medicine

Obesity Clinical Trial Summary

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.

Developed by: Springer Medicine

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Recent Findings

Summary

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 12/2017

Treatment-Induced Neuropathy of Diabetes

Health Benefits of Fasting and Caloric Restriction

Autoimmune Responses to Exosomes and Candidate Antigens Contribute to Type 1 Diabetes in Non-Obese Diabetic Mice

Current Therapies That Modify Glucagon Secretion: What Is the Therapeutic Effect of Such Modifications?

Insulin and Its Cardiovascular Effects: What Is the Current Evidence?

Alcohol Consumption, Diabetes Risk, and Cardiovascular Disease Within Diabetes

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Live: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)

At a glance: The STEP trials