Assessing Diabetes Risk Factors in Rural Dwelling Grandparent Caregivers

Abstract

By clinical definition of diabetes (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%), 21% were prediabetic and 28% had undiagnosed T2DM. There was an association between the number of individuals in the home and triglycerides (r = -.25), high-density lipoproteins (HDL; r = .43), and body mass index (BMI; r = .39). Guardianship status had a significant association with BMI (r = -.38). There was a significant association between low-density lipoprotein (LDL; r = -.32) and access to community shared resources. In the adjusted linear model, the number of grandchildren in the home had a significant relationship with HDL (β = .012, p = .021) whereas the number of individuals living in the home had a statistically significant relationship with HDL (β = .026, p < .000) and BMI (β = .046, p = .02). In addition, 15% of participants reported being food insecure.