Manage Abstracts

Ching Shan Wan PhD1,2,3| Priya Rawat APD4| Purva Gulyani APD4,5|Yusra Elmi BSc4| Ashley H. Ng PhD5

1 School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University, Victoria, Australia
2 Nursing Research Institute, St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne & Australian Catholic University, Victoria, Australia
3 Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
4 Diet Yumm, Craigieburn, Victoria, Australia
5 Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

There is a high prevalence of South Asian immigrants in Australia living with type 2 diabetes mellitus, with the dietary management of the condition presenting as a key challenge. However, their current dietary patterns and barriers to diabetes self-management are unclear.

This study aims to (i) investigate current dietary patterns and (ii) explore barriers and facilitators to dietary management in this population

A concurrent mixed-methods study comprising three 24-h dietary recalls and a semi-structured interview for each self-identified South Asian immigrant adult with diabetes recruited across Victorian primary care clinics and social media to address the aforementioned two aims. Dietary recall data were converted into food groups using Foodworks, and data analysed in SPSS. Qualitative data were thematically analysed using NVivo.

Among 18 participants recruited, 14, 16 and 17 participants had grain, fruit and dairy intake lower than daily Australian recommendations, respectively. These findings echoed qualitative data that participants viewed diabetes management as reducing carbohydrate intake. Participants reported difficulties incorporating diabetes-related dietary and lifestyle recommendations into their routine and a lack of knowledge about available organisational support. They mentioned challenges in receiving social support from families and friends and relied on support from health professionals. Facilitators included proficiency in nutrition information label reading and self-blood glucose monitoring skills.

Enhancing the accessibility to organisational support, facilitating the adaption of dietary recommendations into individuals' routines, and strengthening support from health professionals are essential components in intervention development to improve diabetes management for South Asians.

This research received no specific grant from the public, commercial, or not-for-profit funding agencies.

Open access publishing facilitated by Australian Catholic University, as part of the Wiley - Australian Catholic University agreement via the Council of Australian University Librarians.