Culturally Specific Trauma History is Associated with Dietary Intake Outcomes of a Healthy Eating Intervention Among Cambodian American Refugees: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective: In a retrospective cohort study, we examined associations between trauma indicators and changes to dietary intake among Cambodian Americans who received the culturally-derived Eat, Walk, Sleep intervention. Methods: Participants had depression and a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes (n = 135). Trauma indicators included experiences under the Pol Pot regime and current symptoms of posttraumatic stress and baksbat, a culture-bound syndrome of distress. Measurement of dietary intake at baseline, 12 months, and 15 months included self-reported brown rice, white rice, sweetened drinks, sodium, and fat. Results: Longer exposure to Pol Pot was associated with a greater increase (improvement) in brown rice; longer exposure to Pol Pot and higher baksbat were associated with greater effort to reduce fat. Conclusions and Implications: Eat, Walk, Sleep was most beneficial for those with certain trauma characteristics. Future work includes investigation of potential mechanisms of action of Eat, Walk, Sleep, such as self-efficacy and peer support.