Improvement in A1C levels and diabetes self-management activities following a nutrition and diabetes education program in older adults.
This study examined the effects of a nutrition and diabetes education intervention on improving hemoglobin A1C levels, diabetes self-management activities, and A1C knowledge in congregate meal recipients in senior centers in north Georgia. Participants were a convenience sample and completed a pre-test, an educational intervention, and a post-test (N = 91, mean age = 73 years, 60% Caucasian, and 40% African American). Following the intervention, (1) A1C levels significantly decreased by 0.66 and 1.46% among those with pretest A1C of > 6.5% and > 8%, respectively (P <or= 0.01); (2) compliance significantly increased following a healthful diet, following an eating plan, avoiding high fat foods, spacing carbohydrates, testing blood sugar as recommended by health care provider and inspecting shoes (P <or= 0.05); (3) the number of A1C knowledge questions answered correctly increased from 42% to 65% (P < 0.0001); and (4) decreases in A1C among those with an initial A1C > 6.5% were correlated with increases in physical activity (P <or= 0.05). This nutrition and diabetes intervention improved several aspects of the diabetes self-management activities and A1C knowledge, with concurrent decreases in A1C levels in older adults; however, additional interventions are needed to improve A1C levels, diabetes self-management activities, and A1C awareness in older adults.
Redmond
Elizabeth H
EH
The University of Georgia, Department of Foods and Nutrition, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Burnett
Sarah M
SM
Johnson
Mary Ann
MA
Park
Sohyun
S
Fischer
Joan G
JG
Johnson
Tommy
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy*; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin