Diabetes prevention in a faith-based setting: results of translational research.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to translate the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) into a church-based setting.


METHODS
The lifestyle arm of the NIH-DPP was implemented in an African American Baptist church. Church members 18 years or older completed a risk screen during Sunday service followed by fasting glucose (FG) testing at the church during the week. Persons with prediabetes participated in a 16-session DPP conducted over 4 months. Participation rates, height, weight, blood pressure (BP) and FG were followed for 12 months post-intervention. Fifty participants completed the risk screen, 26 were at risk for diabetes, 16 of 26 received FG testing, and 8 had prediabetes (FG = 100- 125 mg/dL).


RESULTS
The mean participation rate was 10.4 (65%) sessions. Following the intervention, weight, systolic and diastolic BP, and FG decreased by 7.5 lb (3.6%), 16 mm Hg (11.7%), 12 mm Hg (14.0%), and 5 mg/dL (4.8%), respectively (P < .05). In comparison with baseline, significant reductions were evident at 6 and 12 months postintervention for all endpoints.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated successful translation of the 16-session NIH-DPP into a church-based setting. Future studies should test this intervention in churches of different sizes and denominations.
Boltri
John Mark
JM
Department of Family Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine and the Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon, Georgia 31206, USA. boltri.john@mccg.org
Davis-Smith
Y Monique
YM
Seale
J Paul
JP
Shellenberger
Sylvia
S
Okosun
Ike S
IS
Cornelius
Monica E
ME
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D010865:Pilot Projects; D011236:Prediabetic State / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D033303:Protestantism; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D015144:Southeastern United States; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology