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Dulce Mothers: an intervention to reduce diabetes and cardiovascular risk in Latinas after gestational diabetes

  • Original Research
  • Published:
Translational Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Latina women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at elevated risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Few primary prevention programs are designed for low socioeconomic status, Spanish-speaking populations. We examined the effectiveness of a Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) translation in low-income Latinas with a history of GDM. Eighty-four Latinas, 18–45 years old with GDM in the past 3 years, underwent an 8-week peer-educator-led group intervention, with tailoring for Latino culture and recent motherhood. Lifestyle changes and diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed at study baseline, month 3 and month 6. Participants showed significant improvements in lipids, blood pressure, physical activity, dietary fat intake, and fatalistic and cultural diabetes beliefs (p < 0.05). Formative evaluation provides preliminary evidence of program acceptability. A peer-led, culturally appropriate DPP translation was effective in improving lifestyle changes and some indicators of cardiovascular and diabetes risk in Latinas with GDM.

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Acknowledgments

The current research was supported by grants 1 U01 RR025774 and 5 UL1 RR025774 from the National Institutes of Health/National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). The authors thank the staff and participants of the Dulce Mothers study for their important contributions.

Trial Registration

The trial has been registered with Clinicaltrials.gov—Community Approach to Reduce the Risks of Diabetes After Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, NCT01613937, 06/05/2012

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute, Scripps Health, 10140 Campus Point Drive Suite 200, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA

    Athena Philis-Tsimikas MD, Addie L. Fortmann PhD, Sapna Dharkar-Surber MPH & Monica Ruiz MA

  2. Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA

    Johanna A. Euyoque MA & Linda C. Gallo PhD

  3. Neighborhood Healthcare, Escondido, CA, USA

    James Schultz MD, MBA

Authors
  1. Athena Philis-Tsimikas MD
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  2. Addie L. Fortmann PhD
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  3. Sapna Dharkar-Surber MPH
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  4. Johanna A. Euyoque MA
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  5. Monica Ruiz MA
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  6. James Schultz MD, MBA
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  7. Linda C. Gallo PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Athena Philis-Tsimikas MD.

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Implications

Practice: A low cost, clinically effective and culturally appropriate Diabetes Prevention Program translation for Latinas with a recent history of gestational diabetes mellitus was feasible, acceptable, and reduced some aspects of diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk.

Policy: Programs such as Dulce Mothers may promote policy changes to extend Medicaid/Medicare health care coverage for women with a gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosis to 1-year postdelivery and to cover prevention/education interventions for high-risk populations.

Research: The postgestational diabetes mellitus population is an important target for prevention and research given exceptionally high risk for future type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.

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Philis-Tsimikas, A., Fortmann, A.L., Dharkar-Surber, S. et al. Dulce Mothers: an intervention to reduce diabetes and cardiovascular risk in Latinas after gestational diabetes. Behav. Med. Pract. Policy Res. 4, 18–25 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-014-0253-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-014-0253-4

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