(PTFS09-03-23) Bangladeshi New Yorkers With Diabetes Eat Healthier Than Their Counterparts: Examining the Role of Food Environments

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess at home and away from home food environments, dietary intake and diabetes knowledge attitudes and behaviors among adult Bangladeshi immigrants living in NYC.

Methods: A culturally adapted Nutrition Environment Measures Survey (NEMS-P) included culturally specific foods, cooking tools and preparation methods unique to the Bangladeshi community. To overcome translation and communication barriers between interviewers and participants, photo guides for common ethnic foods were developed. The survey also included a validated type 2 diabetes knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (DKAB) score (4-18) which was dichotomized into high (≥11.5) vs. low ( < 11.5). We used flyers, social media and personal outreach to recruit 30 adult Bangladeshi immigrants, ages 18 years and older, for the administered one-on-one survey. Participants provided oral consent and received a $50 gift card. Student’s t-test and Chi-square assessed differences between groups and were used to understand the relationship between food environment and DKAB score among those living with type 2 diabetes and their counterparts.

Results: People living with diabetes had a significantly higher number (Mean±SD=58±4.5) of healthy foods in their households compared to those without diabetes (Mean±SD=51±9.0) (p=0.026). Daily consumption of fruits and vegetables (5 vs.3 servings, p=0.027), fish (1 vs. 0.5 servings,  p=0.013), and whole grains (1 vs. 0.4 servings, p< 0.001) were significantly higher among people living with diabetes compared to those without diabetes. Chi-square analysis revealed that 78% of participants living with diabetes had a high dietary DKAB score compared to 62% of the population without diabetes (p=0.046).

Conclusions: Bangladeshi immigrants living with diabetes have healthier diets than those living without diabetes. This may indicate that people living with diabetes are receptive to health education, and there is an opportunity for developing culturally relevant community health education programs to improve health for Bangladeshi immigrants living with and without diabetes. This study demonstrates the importance of culturally appropriate surveys to accurately capture the dietary behaviors and diabetes attitudes of ethnic communities.

Funding Sources: Brooklyn College