Provider–Patient Interactions as Predictors of Lifestyle Behaviors Related to the Prevention and Management of Diabetes

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests that healthcare provider advice may reduce alcohol use, increase physical activity, and improve the adoption of other desirable lifestyle behaviors among patients. However, how brief interventions and other provider–patient interactions can shape the cumulative adoption of multiple modifiable behaviors is less well studied for diabetes prevention and control. Using weighted Internet panel survey data from a large socio-demographically diverse urban population in the United States (n = 1003), the present study describes differences in group characteristics among those who ‘had been ever diagnosed’ with prediabetes/diabetes versus those who had not. It also examines the associations between the cumulative adoption of lifestyle behaviors and each of the following: (a) lifetime prediabetes/diabetes diagnosis; (b) brief lifestyle intervention exposure (i.e., ever received provider encouragement to modify lifestyle behaviors); and (c) recent provider–patient communication about diabetes. There were several group differences among those who ‘had been ever diagnosed’ with prediabetes/diabetes versus those who had not, by age, employment status, health status, nutrition knowledge, blood pressure/hypertension diagnosis, and diabetes-related health behaviors (p < 0.05). Each of the three provider–patient interactions of interest were positively associated with a higher cumulative sum of adopted modifiable lifestyle behaviors for diabetes prevention and management. The results suggest that provider advice/provider–patient interactions of any type can have a salutary impact on whether individuals with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes will engage in recommended lifestyle behavior modifications.

Financial and Other Life Stressors, Psychological Distress, and Food and Beverage Consumption among Students Attending a Large California State University during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Wherever possible, questions from validated questionnaires were used. Some questions were informed by previous surveys distributed by the CSU system [ 31 ] and those developed and previously used by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. On average, the survey took participants 15 minutes to complete.…”

“…Fast food consumption was an item of interest in this study because this behavior is associated with greater intake of energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods, as well as an increased risk for chronic conditions [ 46 ]. Adapted from questions used in previous public health studies [ 32 , 34 ], participants were asked, “In an average week [before the COVID-19 pandemic began/during the past month], about how many meals did you purchase from a fast food, sit-down, or similar restaurant (e.g., McDonald’s, Denny’s, food trucks/carts, etc.) did you eat?…”

“…Consumption of sugary beverages was also included in the study because of their association with chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, metabolic syndrome) [ 47 ]. These questions were also adapted from previous public health studies [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Participants were asked, “In an average week [before the COVID-19 pandemic began/during the past month], about how many regular sodas such as Coke or Mountain Dew, did you drink?…”