Breakout Session: Paths to Obtaining Funding for Community Engaged Research: One Successful Example

The purpose of this talk is (1) To describe important elements of a successful preliminary studies section, and (2) To share a recent example of leveraging a small pilot study and in-kind on the fly activities to inform a successful NIH grant application

Beverage Consumption Among Low-Income Hispanics with Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes

This study sought to describe beverage consumption, caloric contribution of beverages to total caloric intake, and associations between beverage consumption and metabolic factors among a sample of low-income Hispanics participating in a trial of a diabetes self-management intervention. Findings: Treatment strategies to improve glucose control and reduce diabetes complications among Hispanics are needed. There is a high consumption of calories from beverages, accounting for one-fifth of total caloric intake, among this high-risk Hispanic population. Milk, juices, fruit drinks and regular soda are particular sources of calories. Beverage consumption is associated with metabolic markers, including HbA1c, cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI and waist circumference, and may thus increase risk for diabetic and cardiovascular complications in this population. Beverage consumption among low-income Hispanics warrants further clinical and research attention, including development of interventions that target all liquid calories, not just sugar-sweetened beverages. Targeting beverage consumption through simple messages that are in line with the literacy challenges posed by this population may be feasible. The vast benefit of clarifying a single food group that can be modified to reduce risk factors of diabetes and obesity in this population cannot be overstated

The Social Context as a Determinant of Weight-Related Behaviors: Focus on Social Norms

Most research addressing social context as a determinant of weight-related behaviors has focused on social support and social networks, with limited research assessing social norms. Social norms for obesity are an important variable to understand given the pervasiveness of this condition in our society and the multiple life situations in which individuals are exposed to obesity-related behaviors. This presentation discusses a study that developed a measurement approach to assessing weight loss, dietary and physical activity social norms in the worksite and assessed the associations of these norms with behaviors

Demographic Impacts in IT Education: Research Agendas.

Culture impacts upon use, useability and decision-making processes that surround Information Technology (IT). Radical changes in the demographic profile of New Zealand cause us to reflect on the impact of such changes, as the underlying culture of the country must change with the demographic changes. This process gives rise to some interesting questions, including whether we still accept Hofstede’s analysis of New Zealand as an individualistic country. Pacifika, Asian and Maori are collectivist cultures. One important question is what impact do demographic changes have on educational requirements, given that Maori experience of IT differs from mainstream New Zealand, and given that Maori and other collective cultures form an increasing proportion of the population, particularly in Auckland

Association between food insecurity and CVD risk factors is moderated by intake of fruits and vegetables in Latinos

Background: Food insecurity has been consistently associated with CVD risk factors (i.e., obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia). Consumption of fruits and vegetables may reduce CVD risk factors among food insecure Latinos. Objective: To examine the potential moderating effect of fruit and vegetable intake in the association between food insecurity and CVD risk factors in a sample of Latino men and women in the northeast U.S. Methods: A representative community sample of Latino individuals was recruited from a community health center in Lawrence, MA. Food insecurity was measured with the 6-item USDA Household Food Security Scale. Fruit and vegetable intake, was measured with Block’s Fruit and Vegetable Screener. CVD risk factors examined included: obesity assessed by body mass index (BMI), and diagnoses of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia abstracted from electronic health records. Covariates considered included: age, gender, education and BMI (except in the obesity model). Statistical analyses included multivariable logistic regression testing for interaction between food insecurity and diet. Results: Overall, 51% of the sample were women and most self-identified as Dominicans (73%). Thirty-one percent of the sample experienced food insecurity and 79% consumed less than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Twenty percent of food secure participants and 23% of food insecure individuals consumed 5 servings or more of fruits and vegetables per day (p=0.439). In adjusted models, food insecurity was positively associated with type 2 diabetes in individuals consuming less than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day (OR=1.79; 95% CI=1.11–2.89) but not in individuals consuming 5 servings or more of fruits and vegetables per day. Interaction analyses showed that these estimates were significantly different from each other (p=0.04). Conclusion: Among those who were food insecure, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, was associated with type 2 diabetes in this Latino sample. Studies are needed to confirm our findings. Further, longitudinal studies are needed to understand a potential causal relationship. Interventions to increase availability of fruits and vegetables among food insecure Latinos may help alleviate diabetes disparities in this vulnerable group

Breakout Session: Paths to Obtaining Funding for Community Engaged Research

Discusses the UMass CCTS Community Engagement & Research Section Pilot/Feasibility Grants Program and other potential sources of funding for community engaged research

Association between food insecurity and CVD risk factors is moderated by intake of fruits and vegetables in Latinos

Background: Food insecurity has been consistently associated with CVD risk factors (i.e., obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia). Consumption of fruits and vegetables may reduce CVD risk factors among food insecure Latinos. Objective: To examine the potential moderating effect of fruit and vegetable intake in the association between food insecurity and CVD risk factors in a sample of Latino men and women in the northeast U.S. Methods: A representative community sample of Latino individuals was recruited from a community health center in Lawrence, MA. Food insecurity was measured with the 6-item USDA Household Food Security Scale. Fruit and vegetable intake, was measured with Block’s Fruit and Vegetable Screener. CVD risk factors examined included: obesity assessed by body mass index (BMI), and diagnoses of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia abstracted from electronic health records. Covariates considered included: age, gender, education and BMI (except in the obesity model). Statistical analyses included multivariable logistic regression testing for interaction between food insecurity and diet. Results: Overall, 51% of the sample were women and most self-identified as Dominicans (73%). Thirty-one percent of the sample experienced food insecurity and 79% consumed less than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Twenty percent of food secure participants and 23% of food insecure individuals consumed 5 servings or more of fruits and vegetables per day (p=0.439). In adjusted models, food insecurity was positively associated with type 2 diabetes in individuals consuming less than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day (OR=1.79; 95% CI=1.11–2.89) but not in individuals consuming 5 servings or more of fruits and vegetables per day. Interaction analyses showed that these estimates were significantly different from each other (p=0.04). Conclusion: Among those who were food insecure, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, was associated with type 2 diabetes in this Latino sample. Studies are needed to confirm our findings. Further, longitudinal studies are needed to understand a potential causal relationship. Interventions to increase availability of fruits and vegetables among food insecure Latinos may help alleviate diabetes disparities in this vulnerable group

Sedentary Behavior and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among Latino Adults

Background: Compared to other racial/ethnic subgroups in the U.S., Latinos experience increased rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD risk factors such as hypertension, inactivity, and diabetes. Sedentary behavior has also been defined as an additional risk factor for CVD, independent of physical activity participation. However, while sedentary behavior has been associated with increased risk for CVD among primarily White samples, previous studies in Latinos have shown mixed results. Purpose: To explore the relationships between sedentary behavior and CVD risk factors, including BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, physical activity, dyslipidemia, and diabetes, among a sample of Latino adults. Methods: Cross-sectional secondary analysis of the Latino Health and Well-Being Study. Latino adults were recruited from the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (N= 602). Surveys of sedentary behavior and physical activity were verbally administered. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height, waist circumference and blood pressure. Medical record data for diabetes and dyslipidemia were obtained. Results: This study showed that individuals in older age strata, females, and individuals with a less than high school education were more sedentary than their younger, male, and more educated counter parts. Sedentary behavior was positively associated with BMI (β = .164, p \u3c .001) and waist circumference (β = .162, p \u3c .001). There were no associations between sedentary behavior and blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or physical activity. Conclusions: There is growing evidence that sedentary behavior may have its own unique set of metabolic consequences. However, the consequences of sedentary behavior may not be uniform across subgroups. Evaluating the relationship between sedentary behavior and CVD risk is critical in identifying behaviors, like sedentariness, that contribute to the development of CVD