Implementing a diabetes prevention program in a rural African-American church.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of implementing a diabetes prevention program (DPP) in a rural African-American church.


METHODS
A six-session DPP, modeled after the successful National Institutes of Health (NIH) DPP, was implemented in a rural African-American church. Adult members of the church identified as high risk for diabetes, based on results of a risk questionnaire, were screened with a fasting glucose. Persons with prediabetes, a fasting glucose of 100-125 mg/dL, participated in the six-session, Lifestyle Balance Church DPP. The primary outcomes were attendance rates and changes in fasting glucose, weight and body mass index measured at baseline, six- and 12-month follow-up.


RESULTS
Ninety-nine adult church members were screened for diabetes risk. Eleven had impaired fasting glucose. Ten of 11 participated in the six-session intervention, for an attendance rate of 78%. After the intervention and 12-month follow-up, there was a mean weight loss of 7.9 lbs and 10.6 lbs, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot project suggests that a modified six-session DPP can be translated to a group format and successfully implemented in a church setting. Further randomized studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of such an intervention.
Davis-Smith
Y Monique
YM
Mercer University School of Medicine, Medical Center of Central Georgia/Family Medicine, Macon, GA 31206, USA. davis-smith.monique@mccg.org
Davis-Smith
Monique
M
Boltri
John Mark
JM
Seale
J Paul
JP
Shellenberger
Sylvia
S
Blalock
Travis
T
Tobin
Brian
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D017145:Models, Educational; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D018570:Risk Assessment; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires