Title

LEADing Oklahomans to Better Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Relevance

Diabetes is increasing at an epidemic rate in the United States. Oklahoma ranks fifth highest state in the nation for diabetes mortality rate.

Response

Live Well, Eat Well, be Active with Diabetes (L.E.A.D.) has been offered by OSU Extension through the Family and Consumer Sciences program since 2017. The purpose of the program is to educate and empower participants to partner with their health care team in the management of their type 2 diabetes. Each of the program’s four research-based modules focuses on aspects of living well, eating well and being active. Living well with diabetes covers the importance of monitoring blood glucose levels and how non-food factors, such as illness and stress, can affect blood glucose. Meal planning lessons focus on making healthful food choices and include education on carbohydrate counting and the Plate method. Modules on being active address the benefits of physical activity on the body’s use of glucose, the amount of medication used, and weight loss.

Results

In 2022, 162 participants participated in the L.E.A.D. program, with 31 participants completing all program modules. Seventy-five percent of participants reported maintaining or losing weight, and 65% reported their blood glucose was in better control. Eighty-three percent of participants significantly increased their “Live Well” score which measured both knowledge and behaviors of diabetes management such as knowing what can increase or decrease blood glucose, managing stress, and regularly checking blood glucose levels and feet. Ninety percent of participants increased their “Eat Well” score which included knowledge of different meal planning methods and behaviors related to the selection and preparation of different foods. Eighty-three percent of participants increased their “be Active” score which included participation in physical activity, knowledge of the impact of physical activity on blood glucose, and specific concerns diabetics must take into consideration in order to stay safe during physical activity, including action to take if feeling sick or dizzy. Some participants also reported they have been able to stop taking insulin due to the changes they made to their food choices and meal planning. One participant reported that due to the improvement in her blood glucose values she was now able to have a necessary knee surgery.

Public Value Statement

Increasing the skills needed to manage type 2 diabetes can lead to substantial improvements in blood glucose levels and a reduction in medication costs.

Primary Focus Area

Nutrition & Health

Secondary Focus Area

None Selected

Impact Statement