A Nutrition Education and Life-Style Intervention for Type 2 Diabetes

Team Mentor:

Dr. Vivian Haley-Zitlin, Associate Professor,
Dept. Food Science and Human Nutrition

Team Spring 2009:  Emily V. Albright, Taryn Alverson, Ericka D. Buffkin, Caroline Carter, Kerri Lynne Devita, Laura Johnson, Emily Herr, Laura Johnson, Kayla Nicole Lyles, Kirstin K. Massmann, Stephanie A. Noto, Maggie Peters, Amanda Leigh Schmid, Cheryl Stevens

Abstract
    An intervention to prevent type 2 diabetes (T2D) was developed from literature-based studies of worksite interventions and needs identified from 4 focus groups conducted at the site of the intervention, a textile factory in Anderson, South Carolina. Participants were recruited from focus groups and a health fair held at the worksite. Creative Inquiry students developed 15 minute educational modules to be presented at the worksite.  Modules include 1) an introduction to T2D, 2) dangers of fad diets, 3) fruits, 4) vegetables, 5) meat and dairy, 6) whole grains, 7) consumer tips and 8) physical activity. An exercise component of this intervention includes the use of an on-site outdoor 1-mile track. Improvement in participant’s nutritional and lifestyle choices will be assessed, as these have been shown to reduce risk factors for developing T2D in at-risk populations