The impact of ethnicity and diet counseling on the outcomes of diabetes education

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of education intervention on glycemic control and nutritional consumption patterns in individuals of various ethnic backgrounds who completed a diabetes self-management training program. Initial and final hemoglobin A1c and random blood glucose measures were compared in 124 participants enrolled in a diabetes education program. Subjects were of diverse ethnic background, with 33% reporting Black ancestry, 45% reporting Caucasian and 21%, Hispanic. Nutritional intake preceding and following educational intervention was evaluated. Energy intake, percent of energy from fat, and quantities consumed of five food groups from the Food Guide Pyramid were determined. Following this diabetes education program, it was observed that glycemic control improved, as evidenced by a significant lowering of hemoglobin A1c for all three ethnic groups studied. Energy intake decreased along with percentage of energy from fat, and vegetable consumption improved significantly. Diabetes education and diet counseling were effective in improving glycemic control and food consumption patterns in this multiethnic population.