BACKGROUND:

Culturally appropriate interventions are needed to assist Latinas in making multiple healthful lifestyle changes.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to test a cultural adaptation of a successful multiple health behavior change program, ¡Viva Bien!

METHODS:

Random assignment of 280 Latinas with type 2 diabetes to usual care only or to usual care + ¡Viva Bien!, which included group meetings for building skills to promote the Mediterranean diet, physical activity, stress management, supportive resources, and smoking cessation.

RESULTS:

¡Viva Bien! participants compared to usual care significantly improved psychosocial and behavioral outcomes (fat intake, stress management practice, physical activity, and social-environmental support) at 6 months, and some improvements were maintained at 12 months. Biological improvements included hemoglobin A1c and heart disease risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS:

The ¡Viva Bien! multiple lifestyle behavior program was effective in improving psychosocial, behavioral, and biological/quality of life outcomes related to heart health for Latinas with type 2 diabetes.