Evaluating the Feasibility and Process of Implementing a Nutrition Education Program to Support Behavior Change in Individuals with Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes in a Worksite Wellness Program

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects millions of individuals and continues to pose significant public health challenges. Research has shown that lifestyle modifications, particularly improvements in diet and physical activity, can play a significant role in managing diabetes and improving health outcomes. Appropriate nutrition, in particular, is essential for enhancing quality of life and reducing diabetes-related complications. Advances in technology, such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), have been transformative for those with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. These devices provide 24/7 real-time monitoring of blood glucose levels, offering valuable insights of how food and lifestyle choices affect blood sugar. Many individuals with diabetes lack the nutritional knowledge needed to make informed dietary choices. This highlights the critical need for nutrition education interventions. In response, a worksite wellness program located in Giles County, Virginia has launched a targeted program to address local healthcare needs. The program aims to enhance individual health and wellness while also reducing county healthcare expenses. As part of this effort, a nutrition education intervention was developed to educate participants on the nature of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, the impact of food on blood glucose, and practical strategies for using nutrition to better manage their condition. Based off the results, this program allowed participants to better understand how to control their blood glucose while simultaneously increasing the feasibility of future nutrition education efforts and interventions in Giles County.