Community‐Based Participatory Research partnership with faith‐based organizations to address obesity and glucose control

OBJECTIVES: To explore the lived (narrative) experience of obesity and/or diabetes mellitus within focus groups consisting of individuals and community support persons residing in Genesee County, Michigan. DESIGN: Qualitative study, using Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) methodology to design and conduct focus group interviews. SAMPLE: Nineteen participants from faith-based organizations (FBOs) in Genesee County (74.5% Caucasian, 3.0% Hispanic American). MEASUREMENTS: Semi-structured narrative focus group interviews, using thematic coding and qualitative analysis software (Otter.com). RESULTS: Participants from diverse FBOs revealed barriers that prevent them from reaching their weight goals and preventing or controlling diabetes. A shared theme included the concern that providers do not actively inquire about patient concerns at appointments, and they fail to offer practical strategies beyond pharmaceutical interventions. CONCLUSION: Focus group interviews with community residents revealed issues and barriers patients and their support persons face in health care experiences. Utilizing CBPR (methodology) is an opportunity for advanced practice nurses (health care professionals) to co-create strategies and interventions with the community that can assist them in successfully reaching their weight loss and diabetes prevention goals.