TY - JOUR
T1 - The Influence of a Christian, Seventh-Day Adventist Lifestyle Based on Religious Principles on the Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
AU - Herrera, Maricel
AU - Grados, Cristabel
AU - Huancahuire-Vega, Salomon
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 by the authors.
PY - 2025/8
Y1 - 2025/8
N2 - Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a growing global health concern, closely linked to modifiable lifestyle factors. Emerging evidence suggests that religious principles can shape behaviors that promote physical and mental well-being. Objective: This study explores how adherence to a lifestyle rooted in Seventh-Day Adventist beliefs may influence the risk of developing T2DM. Methods: This study is of a non-experimental quantitative design with a cross-sectional and explanatory scope. The sample consisted of 303 participants (adults who had been active Seventh-Day Adventist Church, SDA, members for the past 3 years), selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Adventist Lifestyle questionnaire (eight dimensions) and the FINDRISC scale. The non-parametric statistics, Rho Spearman, and ordinal logistic regression analysis were used. Results: The results showed that lifestyle levels based on religious principles significantly predicted the risk of developing T2DM (X2 = 100.34, p < 0.05). The model explained approximately 31% of the variance in T2DM risk (R2 = 0.31), indicating a moderate association between lifestyle and risk. Specifically, individuals with lower (less healthy) lifestyle scores had a significantly higher likelihood of being classified in higher risk categories for T2DM. It was also observed that there is a significant relationship between the risk of developing T2DM and the following dimensions: Rest (rho = −0.16, p < 0.05), exercise (rho = −0.13, p < 0.05), temperance (rho = −0.19, p < 0.05), nutrition (rho = −0.66, p < 0.05) and spirituality (rho = −0.57, p < 0.05). Conclusions: A healthier lifestyle promoted by religious principles, such as the SDA, reduces the risk of developing T2DM. A stronger correlation was perceived between nutrition and spirituality since these practices are related to a low risk of developing the disease.
AB - Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a growing global health concern, closely linked to modifiable lifestyle factors. Emerging evidence suggests that religious principles can shape behaviors that promote physical and mental well-being. Objective: This study explores how adherence to a lifestyle rooted in Seventh-Day Adventist beliefs may influence the risk of developing T2DM. Methods: This study is of a non-experimental quantitative design with a cross-sectional and explanatory scope. The sample consisted of 303 participants (adults who had been active Seventh-Day Adventist Church, SDA, members for the past 3 years), selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Adventist Lifestyle questionnaire (eight dimensions) and the FINDRISC scale. The non-parametric statistics, Rho Spearman, and ordinal logistic regression analysis were used. Results: The results showed that lifestyle levels based on religious principles significantly predicted the risk of developing T2DM (X2 = 100.34, p < 0.05). The model explained approximately 31% of the variance in T2DM risk (R2 = 0.31), indicating a moderate association between lifestyle and risk. Specifically, individuals with lower (less healthy) lifestyle scores had a significantly higher likelihood of being classified in higher risk categories for T2DM. It was also observed that there is a significant relationship between the risk of developing T2DM and the following dimensions: Rest (rho = −0.16, p < 0.05), exercise (rho = −0.13, p < 0.05), temperance (rho = −0.19, p < 0.05), nutrition (rho = −0.66, p < 0.05) and spirituality (rho = −0.57, p < 0.05). Conclusions: A healthier lifestyle promoted by religious principles, such as the SDA, reduces the risk of developing T2DM. A stronger correlation was perceived between nutrition and spirituality since these practices are related to a low risk of developing the disease.
KW - lifestyles
KW - nutritional habits
KW - seventh-day adventists
KW - spirituality
KW - type 2 diabetes mellitus
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105015380541
U2 - 10.3390/healthcare13162044
DO - 10.3390/healthcare13162044
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105015380541
SN - 2227-9032
VL - 13
JO - Healthcare (Switzerland)
JF - Healthcare (Switzerland)
IS - 16
M1 - 2044
ER -
