DC2437 - Indigenous Science & Content Oral Abstract Presentations: Hope for Action: Preventing Type 2 Diabetes among Indigenous Youth

Blinded Abstract: In Canada, Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, and Inuit) children and youth are experiencing an epidemic of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Given the prevalence of pediatric T2D and its impact on Indigenous youth and their families, effective culture-based interventions are urgently needed to promote improved health outcomes. The purpose of this research project is to co-create culture-based T2D education interventions among youth. In this presentation, we describe the findings outlining the Knowledge Keepers and adult participants’ conceptions of hope with respect to health promotion and T2D prevention which are providing the foundation for co-developing education interventions.

Methods: Focus groups (N=7) and interviews (n=8) were held with adults (n=62) from three Indigenous Cree-speaking communities in Canada. A thematic approach to data analysis was used.

Results: Themes and subthemes included: 1) Hope for Enhanced Education (What is Diabetes, Vision for T2D Education); 2) Hope for Structural Supports in Communities (Enhancing the Food Environment, Creating Opportunities for Physical Activity); 3) Hope for Traditional Ways (Practicing Culture: It Keeps You in Balance, Intergenerational Teachings: Showing Us the Way).

Conclusions: The results provide new insight into the participants’ conceptualization of hope generally. Participants identified strategies that were rooted in hope for action and have the potential to promote health and prevent T2D among youth. These findings will be used to co-design, pilot, and evaluate educational interventions grounded in the participants’ experiences and are reflective of the hopes and needs of the youth and their families.