The Impact of Acculturation on Diabetes Risk Among Arab Americans in Southeastern Louisiana

Purpose . This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between acculturation and diabetes risk among Arab Americans in Southeastern Louisiana. The secondary objective was to identify the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease in the same population. Background . Research suggests that Arab Americans report disproportionate rates of diabetes and other chronic diseases. Methods . A cross-sectional study of 181 Arab Americans was conducted in Louisiana. Interviewers recruited participants to answer a 37-item survey with a five-dimension acculturation assessment and abridged National Institute of Health Survey and American Diabetes Association (2010) diabetes tool. Results were analyzed using factor analysis and Spearman’s correlation. Results . A negative correlation was found between Arab acculturation variables and diabetes risk among males (r=−.216, p=.044) and American acculturation variables among females (r=−.222, p=.032). Twelve percent reported being diagnosed with Type II diabetes by a primary care physician.