Research Abstracts
Qualitative Research Abstract
One of the major risk factors for diabetes is obesity, which affects about one third of adults within the United States. Obesity has been associated with some demographic and socioeconomic factors. The environments that people live in, and work in have a great influence on obesity and diabetes. The main aim of this study was to examine how work culture, environment and policies influence healthy eating and physical exercise.
A descriptive analytical study was conducted through interviews on 20 individuals from the national labour union. A total of 9 focus groups that included 61 workers participated in the study. All the data that was collected was audio recorded and later transcribed. The data was later on coded using the phenomenological approach to help find the common themes.
The results showed that very few wellness programs were offered to the workers. The labour union and the workers recognize the need for weight loss programs but did not know how to go about it. The employees discussed how their jobs left them stressed and too exhausted for exercise. Other workers indicated that they did not have finances, time to participate in the onsite gym and weight loss programs availed for them.
The findings of this study indicated that indeed work environment has a major influence on healthy living for the workers. Given the significant relationship that is there between the workers’ health and the work environment, it is important for employers and labour unions to consider focusing on implementation of fitness programs.
Quantitative Research Abstract
The quantitative study was conducted to try and understand the prevalence of type I and Type II diabetes based on demographics within the U.S. The data for this study was collected in three phases, the 1st phase was between the years 2000- 2005, the second phase was between the years 205-2010 and the phase 3 from the year 2010 to date. Six recruitment centres including Ohio, Seattle, Washington, South Carolina, Hawaii and California were used.
The centres conducted active surveillance using networks of paediatric and adults and health care providers. Medical cases were determined to be valid if diabetes is confirmed in the medical records and eligible through age, residence and health plan membership at diagnosis.
The results of this study indicate that there are a substantial proportion of youths with diabetes particularly the African Americans and the American Indians. Most of the youths that were found with type 2 diabetes are from low income homes, and they also suffer from obesity. A large proportion of youths with type 1 diabetes are also obese and they are distributed across ethic groups.
The findings of this study indicated that youths have a high prevalence for both types of diabetes. The youths need to be given first priority when it comes to health education on how to prevent and control diabetes. Most of the youths as indicated by the high rates of obesity among them do not engage in physical exercises. Long term follow up of youths with diabetes is important to help expand knowledge of the best approaches to control this disease among the youths.
