Kapolei

Researchers are evaluating an intervention called PILI 'Aina to help Native Hawaiians manage common diet-related cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemias, and obesity. The project aims to improve diet quality, cardiometabolic markers, promote traditional Native Hawaiian diets, and enhance social cohesion within communities. This research addresses the contrast between Native Hawaiians' traditional healthy lifestyles and their current high rates of diet-related illnesses. Over five years, quarterly cooking demonstrations and cultural lessons called 'Ai Pono will be held, totaling 36 events. Each 2-hour session includes hands-on cooking, tastings, and cultural education about traditional foods like sweet potato, breadfruit, and kalo. These lessons connect food consumption to Native Hawaiian history and beliefs. Attendance is limited to 30 people per event, with priority given to new attendees after the first lesson. Registration is managed electronically. Participants will complete surveys at each lesson to assess their reactions, fruit and vegetable intake, confidence in healthy eating, and perceptions of community cohesion. Additionally, random household surveys will be conducted annually across homesteads. Outcome measures include family environment, nutrition environment, and social cohesion, monitored at baseline and yearly for four years. The study involves monitoring participants' engagement and long-term community impact over the five-year period.

This research aims to improve the health and diet of Native Hawaiian adults who are overweight or obese and have diet-related cardiometabolic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia. The study evaluates a multilevel intervention called PILI '
0ina, which promotes traditional Native Hawaiian diets and social cohesion, in comparison to a Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Intervention. The project seeks to reduce risk factors for these illnesses and enhance community well-being through sustainable health practices. Participants will first complete a 3-month educational program adapted from the Diabetes Prevention Program's Lifestyle Intervention, delivered by trained community health workers. After this, households are randomized to either receive a 6-month PILI '
0ina intervention involving raised-bed home gardens, hands-on cooking lessons with local experts, and family bonding activities or to a control group that receives monthly health education materials and community resource information by mail or electronic messaging. All participants in the PILI '
0ina group receive gardening equipment and seeds to grow vegetables at home. Throughout the study, data on diet quality, weight, height, blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, and lipid levels are collected at baseline, 3, 9, and 12 months. Other adult household members may also participate in data collection to assess household-level effects. The study monitors improvements in diet, cardiometabolic markers, and social cohesion to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of the interventions over a year.