Insights about interventions to address food insecurity in adults with type 2 diabetes: Valuable lessons from the stories of African Americans living in the inner city

Objectives: This qualitative study aimed to gain insight from the perspectives of food insecure African Americans living in an inner city regarding important diabetes intervention strategies and components. Methods: Using a grounded theory approach, two focus groups (totaling 16 individuals) were conducted in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Purposive, convenience sampling was used to identify food insecure adults with diabetes. Questions were asked using a moderator guide to explore challenges and barriers to managing diabetes within the context of food insecurity, and facilitators or resources that helped participants improve diabetes management. Questions were open ended and followed by probes asking for additional perspectives and personal experiences related to the overarching topic, and questions asking to clarify statements. Results: Overarching concepts and themes specific to possible interventions discussed during the focus groups included group education, peer support, access to community resources and programs, stress management, and faith-based programs as desired intervention outcomes. Conclusions: Key findings from the current study show that inner-city African Americans with diabetes desire interventions that foster social and community support systems. Practice Implications: Given this insight, more robust and comprehensive interventions are needed to account for the multifaceted experience of food insecurity and diabetes within the inner-city environment.