Talks
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Undergraduate
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Discipline Track
Community/Public Health
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: T2D affects 462 million people worldwide, with Hispanic Americans comprising 17% of those affected. This chronic disease disproportionately impacts the Hispanic population due to genetic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors, leading to severe complications like cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and cognitive decline. Given the growing prevalence of diabetes in this community, understanding the unique challenges faced by Hispanics is essential. This study investigates factors contributing to T2D among Hispanics to develop more effective and culturally tailored prevention and treatment strategies.
Material and Methods: This study was conducted in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), a region with a significant Hispanic population, focusing on individuals aged 45+. Participants were recruited from Brownsville, Harlingen, and Edinburg, TX. Data on demographics, medical history, lifestyle, cognitive impairment (using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment), and familism variables were collected. Multivariable regression models compared familism and other variables (e.g., sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, cognitive scores) across groups. Factor analysis of 18 familism variables identified key components for further analysis. Saliva samples were collected for genetic studies, and SNP genotyping was performed using the TaqMan assay.
Results: Among 333 participants, 81 were diagnosed with T2D. The prevalence of diabetes in the RGV Latino population (42.9%) mirrored CDC reports (45%). Findings showed that T2D patients were more likely to have cognitive impairment (P<0.001). In terms of APOE allele distributions, 11.4% carried the APOE e4 allele, 57.7% carried the e3 allele, and none carried the e2 allele. Principal component analysis revealed a 4-factor model of familism provided the best fit. Notably, factor 4 was negatively associated with diabetes (t=-3.12, P=0.003), indicating high levels of familism correlated with T2D prevention.
Conclusion: This study highlights the disproportionate impact of T2D on the Hispanic population in the RGV and explores the association of familism with T2D prevention. Results underscore the importance of cultural values in mitigating diabetes risk. Key factors such as low physical activity, poor dietary habits, high stress, and smoking were significant contributors to T2D prevalence. Culturally tailored interventions focusing on education, stress management, and lifestyle modifications are essential. Community-based programs promoting physical activity,healthy diets, and stress reduction can effectively reduce the burden of diabetes and its complications in this population. Future research should replicate these findings in larger samples, particularly among females and those with lower education levels, to ensure consistent and comprehensive outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Arevalo, Samantha; Aguillon, Luis; Ollervides, Daniela; and Xu, Chun, "Exploring T2D in the Hispanic Community: Insights from the Rio Grande Valley" (2025). Research Symposium. 27.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/talks/27
Included in
Exploring T2D in the Hispanic Community: Insights from the Rio Grande Valley
Background: T2D affects 462 million people worldwide, with Hispanic Americans comprising 17% of those affected. This chronic disease disproportionately impacts the Hispanic population due to genetic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors, leading to severe complications like cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and cognitive decline. Given the growing prevalence of diabetes in this community, understanding the unique challenges faced by Hispanics is essential. This study investigates factors contributing to T2D among Hispanics to develop more effective and culturally tailored prevention and treatment strategies.
Material and Methods: This study was conducted in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), a region with a significant Hispanic population, focusing on individuals aged 45+. Participants were recruited from Brownsville, Harlingen, and Edinburg, TX. Data on demographics, medical history, lifestyle, cognitive impairment (using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment), and familism variables were collected. Multivariable regression models compared familism and other variables (e.g., sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, cognitive scores) across groups. Factor analysis of 18 familism variables identified key components for further analysis. Saliva samples were collected for genetic studies, and SNP genotyping was performed using the TaqMan assay.
Results: Among 333 participants, 81 were diagnosed with T2D. The prevalence of diabetes in the RGV Latino population (42.9%) mirrored CDC reports (45%). Findings showed that T2D patients were more likely to have cognitive impairment (P<0.001). In terms of APOE allele distributions, 11.4% carried the APOE e4 allele, 57.7% carried the e3 allele, and none carried the e2 allele. Principal component analysis revealed a 4-factor model of familism provided the best fit. Notably, factor 4 was negatively associated with diabetes (t=-3.12, P=0.003), indicating high levels of familism correlated with T2D prevention.
Conclusion: This study highlights the disproportionate impact of T2D on the Hispanic population in the RGV and explores the association of familism with T2D prevention. Results underscore the importance of cultural values in mitigating diabetes risk. Key factors such as low physical activity, poor dietary habits, high stress, and smoking were significant contributors to T2D prevalence. Culturally tailored interventions focusing on education, stress management, and lifestyle modifications are essential. Community-based programs promoting physical activity,healthy diets, and stress reduction can effectively reduce the burden of diabetes and its complications in this population. Future research should replicate these findings in larger samples, particularly among females and those with lower education levels, to ensure consistent and comprehensive outcomes.
