Capability Assessment for Diet and Activity Model Extended to Include Screening and Knowledge in Diabetic Adults

Managing diabetes effectively requires a comprehensive understanding of various capabilities, including diet, physical activity, regular screening, and diabetes-related knowledge. For diabetic adults with a history of hospital admissions, these capabilities are critical in preventing readmissions and improving overall health outcomes.

The objective of this study is to extend the investigation of feasible opportunities for managing diabetes by including measures of screening practices and knowledge alongside diet and physical activity. By employing the Capability Approach, this research aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of how these capabilities interact with individual and environmental factors to affect diabetes management. This approach will enrich existing knowledge by highlighting the interplay between diet, activity, screening, and knowledge, and how these factors collectively impact health outcomes. It will also inform targeted interventions that address both personal and environmental determinants of diabetes management, contributing to more effective public health strategies.

The study uses a survey instrument to collect data from diabetic adults who have experienced hospital admissions in Central Florida and those who don't. The data will be analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to explore the relationships and potential causal pathways between the capabilities assessed (diet, activity, screening, knowledge) and health outcomes. This approach, grounded in the Capability Approach framework, will help identify how each capability contributes to the management of diabetes and highlight areas for targeted interventions.

This study is available in English and Spanish.