Evaluating Family and Community-Based Programs to Improve Treatment Adherence for Overweight, Obesity, Prediabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, and Type 2 Diabetes in the Bedouin Community of the Negev

What this Trial Is About

This research focuses on the Bedouin community in the Negev, which faces high rates of type 2 diabetes, low treatment adherence, and increased complications. The study evaluates a culturally tailored family and community-based intervention program aimed at improving treatment adherence and health outcomes in adults with overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes. It seeks to assess whether these targeted efforts can improve adherence to the Mediterranean diet as well as other health measures over a one-year period. Participants will be divided into two groups: one receiving a community-based intervention including monthly sessions on physical activity, nutrition, and cultural practices, tailored to the Bedouin lifestyle, and a control group receiving usual care through their primary health providers. The intervention group will attend 10 sessions over 12 months focusing on nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral changes, delivered separately for men and women. Throughout the study, researchers will collect data at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months using medical records for lab tests like HbA1c and lipid profiles, physical measurements, questionnaires on diet and quality of life, and assessments of physical activity and social belonging. The main outcome is the Mediterranean diet score, with secondary outcomes including blood sugar, lipids, BMI, health habits, and quality of life. Privacy will be protected via coded data, and participants may withdraw at any time.

Evaluating Family & Community-Based Interventions to Improve Treatment Adherence in Metabolic Health Among Negev Bedouins (EFIT-BED)