The implementation and evaluation of a church-based, peer-delivered nutrition and lifestyle education program for African American women at risk for type 2 diabetes
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Carinthia A. Cherry (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Martha Taylor
Abstract: Diet, physical activity, and body weight are modifiable lifestyle factors for which modest improvements have been shown to reduce risk for development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, increasing rates of disease suggest that large segments of the population remain unaware of the impact of lifestyle practices on overall health and quality of life. This pilot feasibility study was designed to implement and evaluate a peer-educator delivered 8-week nutrition and lifestyle education intervention for African American women ages 45 years and over and at risk for Type 2 diabetes their church setting. This 2 x 3 repeated measures study (usual care (UC), intervention (INT); baseline, endpoint, follow-up) used a convenience sample of 41 women (average age = 61 ± 8.92 years) at risk for diabetes from two predominantly African American churches in Greensboro, NC (N = 21, UC; N = 20, INT). Significant changes in fiber intake occurred over time, with no between group differences (INT = 10.9 to 12.5 g; UC = 12.7 to 9.6 g, p = 0.031). Group by time differences occurred for total fat (p = 0.013), monounsaturated fat (p = 0.045), and percent of energy from fat (p = 0.022), with the intervention group significantly decreasing fat intake. When age and total number of chronic conditions were added as covariates, total carbohydrate (grams) differed over time (p = 0.025, age and 0.007, chronic conditions), with INT reporting an increase and UC reporting a decrease. Limiting or restricting high sugar foods and limiting portion sizes significantly differed between groups at endpoint and follow up (p = 0.04). UC received the same education handouts, but not the classes and also reported some significant dietary changes over time, suggesting the benefits of targeted messages for this audience. The peer educator consistently and accurately delivered the curriculum as designed. Attendance rates indicated high exposure to the intervention, and participants were engaged and willing to participate in the program. Further development of more intensive intervention strategies focused on targeted behavior changes to reduce of Type 2 diabetes risk among African American women is needed.
The implementation and evaluation of a church-based, peer-delivered nutrition and lifestyle education program for African American women at risk for type 2 diabetes
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Created on 5/1/2011
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2011
- Keywords
- African American Women, Church-based, Diabetes, Peer Educators
- Subjects
- Diabetes $x Study and teaching (Continuing education) $z North Carolina
- Health education $z North Carolina
- African American women $x Diseases $x Risk factors
- Diabetes $x Prevention
- Nutrition $x Education $z North Carolina