Screening and Nutrition for Patients With Diabetes: A Pilot Study

The goal of this project is to provide diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) and simultaneously address food insecurity for a high-risk, ethnically diverse adult population who participate in a food pantry. This project will utilize a Community-Based Participatory Research model (CBPR). Community representatives will engage in project implementation by participating in designing the messaging for cultural impact and advising in study operations. This intervention targets food pantry clients self-reporting a T2DM diagnosis or who screen positive for T2DM through on-site HbA1c testing. Once enrolled, participants will complete self-paced web-based/mobile DSMES modules, available in English and Spanish, that include the ADCES7 (Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists) Self-Care BehaviorsTM. Support through text messaging, monthly group sessions, and peer mentorship will be facilitated by nursing students, registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), and diabetes care and education specialists (DCES) for 12 weeks. Participants will receive nutritious food from the pantry consistent with dietary guidelines for diabetes.

Eligible patients who agree to participate in the study will be screened for diabetes via HbA1c fingerstick measurement. Participants will receive diabetes self-management education, food items recommended by registered dietitians, peer support, monthly in-person group support sessions held at the foot pantry, and text messaging with continued education. Data will be collected at intake. Follow up data will be collected 90 days after enrollment.