Abstract
Objective: In behavioral research directed at the treatment of type 2 diabetes, the challenge is to understand how interventions might facilitate long-term lifestyle changes. The Mediterranean Lifestyle Program (MLP) is an intervention for postmenopausal women diagnosed with type 2 diabetes that has shown promising effects on outcomes that include increased physical activity and reduced fat consumption. The present study extended previous findings by evaluating diet-specific and activity-specific social-ecological resources as possible mediators of intervention effects over a 2-year period. Main Outcome Measures: Percent calories from saturated fat and caloric expenditure per week in all physical activities were assessed with self-report questionnaires. Results: The MLP was successful in increasing participants' use of diet-specific and activity-specific family/friend and neighborhood resources. There was some evidence that changes in those resources mediated intervention effects on saturated fat consumption and physical activity outcomes. Conclusion: The experimental manipulation of mediators and the demonstrated mediational effects provided some support for the conclusion that social-ecological resources can contribute to improvements in healthful lifestyles for women with type 2 diabetes.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | S118-S125 |
Journal | Health Psychology |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 2 SUPPL. 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2008 |
Keywords
- intervention
- mediation
- social support
- type 2 diabetes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Applied Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health