Improved Type 2 Diabetes Control Outcomes as a Result of a Culturally‐appropriate Diabetes Education Program

O: Assess the impact of a culturally‐appropriate diabetes education program in a Hispanic group. M: 39 subjects (16 M & 23 F), 29‐75 y, participated in a 3‐month study. Blood glucose, chol levels, anthropometric and DXA values were obtained at baseline and 3 m. Paired t‐tests were used to compare baseline and 3‐m means. Spearman's rho was used to determine the linear relationship between laboratory results and dietary changes (Southwestern FFQ). R: Baseline FBG mean was 167.9 mg/dL, baseline HbA1c mean was 8.5%, insulin mean was 13.7 uU/mL. HbA1c % decreased (8.5% ±2.5 vs. 7.6%±1.7 p=.003) and insulin increased (13.7 uU/mL± 11.3 vs 16.7 uU/mL± 13.3 p=.05). HDL (49.74 mg/dL±10.4 vs. 43.9±9.9 p=.012), LDL (120.6 mg/dL±32.2 vs. 110.3±34.8 p=.013) and total chol (191.3 mg/dL±34.3 vs. 177.9±40.9 p=.005) decreased. Waist circumference (100.1 cm±11.9 vs. 98.6±12.6 p=.044) and DXA total fat (16790.8g ±8.332.1 vs. 16454.6g ±8119.0 p=.033) decreased. At 3 m, there were significant correlations between a decrease in HDL and % cal from total fat (r=372, p=.02), monounsaturated fat (r=.404, p=.011) and carbohydrates (r=.339, p=.035). C: The program had a beneficial effect on dietary changes and blood sugar control.