Pre-diabetic women’s understanding of the role of diet in preventing diabetes using the PEN-3 cultural model

Abstract

Background. Pre-diabetes is one of the most widespread epidemics in the world. Pre-diabetics are the most susceptible to diabetes. The prevalence of prediabetes status is higher than that of diabetes. Lifestyle modification at this stage may delay the onset of type 2 diabetes for ten years. The present study aims at determining the Dezful pre-diabetic women's experiences of diabetic preventive eating behaviors. Methods. The present study employed a directed qualitative content analysis (DQlCA) conducted in Dezful in 2020. The experiences of 41 pre-diabetic women aged 30-65 years and 9 health care providers (physicians, nutritionists, public health experts) were explained using the in-depth interviewing technique on the factors affecting diabetes preventive behaviors, including nutritional behaviors and physical activities, based on the constructions of the PEN-3 model. The participants were selected from Dezful health centers. Analysis of the qualitative data was done via a directed qualitative content analysis (DQlCA). Data validity was estimated by assessing acceptability, reliability, adaptability, and transferability. Results: the most appropriate and accessible way to promote diabetes prevention behaviors in pre-diabet-ics is to hold training classes with a health promotion approach implemented by health care providers. Conclusion. Pre-diabetic women have a variety of beliefs and habits influenced by awareness, food culture, and temporal and spatial constraints. By identifying the positive and negative beliefs affecting diet, researchers who want to promote the nutritional behavior of pre-diabetic women should correct and eliminate negative and inhibitory beliefs by targeting these beliefs, emphasizing positive and motivating beliefs. They also should use the mentioned points in their educational interventions. (Clin Diabetol 2021; 10