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.