Feasibility of Motivational Interviewing and Physical Activity Counseling Sessions for Improving Physical Activity Self-Management for Latina Women Either at Risk for or Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Latinas have a greater chance of dying from diabetes than non-Latina Whites. As a population group, the literature has shown that Latinas do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a patient-centered counseling method that promotes self-efficacy for behavior change. The purpose of the study was to examine the feasibility of using MI/PA counseling for self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus with Latinas. Latinas ( = 12) were recruited from an occupational program in Southern California. Two MI and PA sessions were conducted over 2 months. Feasibility measures included recruitment, retention, protocol adherence, and attrition. Impact outcomes included PA, PA stage of change, and waist circumference. Participants attended all sessions and completed all questionnaires. Half progressed into a later stage of change for PA. Results suggest MI and PA counseling is feasible for improving PA with Latinas at risk/diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus.