Promises and Pitfalls of Dyads in the National Diabetes Prevention Program: Lifestyle Coach Perspectives.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To describe Lifestyle Coach perceptions of dyads (i.e., family members and/or friends) in the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP).

DESIGN:

Qualitative evaluation of cross-sectional survey responses.

SETTING:

Online.

PARTICIPANTS:

Lifestyle Coaches (n=253) with experience teaching at least one in-person year-long NDPP cohort at a CDC-recognized organization.

MEASURES:

Survey included items on background and experience with dyadic approach, as well as open-ended items on the benefits and challenges observed when working with dyads in the NDPP.

ANALYSIS:

Lifestyle Coach background and experience were analyzed descriptively in SPSS. Open-ended responses were content coded in ATLAS.ti using qualitative description, and then grouped into categories.

RESULTS:

Most Lifestyle Coaches (n=210; 83.0%) reported experience delivering the NDPP to dyads. Benefits of a dyadic approach included having a partner in lifestyle change, superior outcomes and increased engagement, and positive "ripple effects." Challenges included difficult relationship dynamics, differences between dyad members, negative "ripple effects," and logistics.

CONCLUSION:

Lifestyle Coaches described a number of benefits, as well as some challenges, with a dyadic approach to the NDPP. Given the concordance between close others in lifestyle and other risk factors for type 2 diabetes, utilizing a dyadic approach in the NDPP has the potential to increase engagement, improve outcomes, and extend the reach of the program.

• Authors: Katherine J W Baucom, Tali Bauman, Yanina Nemirovsky, Manuel Gutierrez Chavez, Monique C Aguirre, Carmen Ramos, Anu Asnaani, Cassidy A Gutner, Natalie D Ritchie, Megha Shah, Lauren Clark
• Journal: American journal of health promotion : AJHP (Am J Health Promot) Vol. 36 Issue 7 Pg. 1204-1207 (09 2022) ISSN: 2168-6602 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 35459410 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Cohort Studies
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (prevention & control)
• Humans
• Life Style
• Surveys and Questionnaires