Snapshot of Diabetes Risk, Risk Awareness, and Lifestyle Change Factors in Older Adults Attending Delaware Senior Centers

Abstract

Diabetes prevalence increases with age. Senior centers offer an opportunity to reach community dwelling older adults to educate them about diabetes and its prevention. Objective. The objective of the study was to examine diabetes/pre-diabetes occurrence, risk factors, and awareness, and lifestyle behaviors; and compare lifestyle behaviors in three diabetes risk-related subgroups (diabetes, lower risk; higher risk) in older adults attending senior centers. Methods. A single occasion cross-sectional self-report survey was conducted at two Delaware senior centers. A total of 159 individuals participated in the survey. Results. Demographic characteristics were: 76.08 years old on average (SD = 7.89); 77.4% female; 1.9% Hispanic/Latino/Latinx; 84.2 White, and 13.3% Black/African American. Of this sample, 20.0% self-reported a diabetes diagnosis, 66.3% without known diabetes may have increased risk, and 29.8% were aware of their diabetes risk. Furthermore, more than half reported a lack of knowledge about pre-diabetes. For lifestyle behaviors, 73% reported being in the action/maintenance stages of change for physical activity, 53%-72% across areas of healthy eating, and 93% were nonsmokers. No significant differences were found between risk groups for these lifestyle areas. Conclusions/Policy Implications. These findings suggest potential gaps in older adults’ awareness of diabetes risk and opportunities for promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors. Senior centers offer a convenient opportunity to reach older adults, to offer tailored approaches to address gaps in their awareness of pre-diabetes and diabetes risk, and to link individuals with current senior center, state, and other programs to further support diabetes prevention in older adults.