Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Hebatullah Tawfik

Abstract

Lifestyle choices such as diet and physical activity have been described as significant predictors of preventable disease, such as Type 2 diabetes mellitus. African American women disproportionately develop Type 2 diabetes and are at greater risk, compared to Caucasian/European Americans. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of physical activity and adherence to the MyPlate diet plan with the occurrence of Type 2 diabetes among African American women. The health belief model was the theoretical foundation for this study. Research questions were designed to examine the extent to which diet and physical activity predict Type 2 diabetes. In this quantitative cross-sectional study, data from the 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination data sets were analyzed, including a representative sample of African American women, ages 18 and older in the United States. Using SPSS, a series of binary logistic regressions were conducted. After controlling for age, there was no statistically significant association between the MyPlate dietary pattern adherence and diabetes (OR = 0.706, 95% CI [0.292, 1.707], p > 0.005). Similarly, no statistically significant association between exercise and diabetes status was observed among this population (OR = 1.032, 95%CI [0.721, 1.504], p > 0.005). Implications for potential positive social change that could arise from this research include encouraging additional research into other dietary plans that may be better correlated with diabetes prevention. Likewise, researchers, health promotion advocates and public health professionals can build on these findings to expand research and examine lifestyle choices that may bring about improved health outcomes among African American diabetics.

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