Diabetes costs Kentuckians 3.85 billion annually. According to 2016 Kentucky data, more than 13.1% of Kentucky adults have been diagnosed with diabetes – an increase of 50% since 2000. If these trends continue, 1 in 3 Kentuckians will develop diabetes sometime in their life. Those with diabetes lose an average of 10-15 years of potential life and can develop serious complications such as cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure, and non-traumatic lower extremity amputations.

Due to limited resources available in the county, community members and local healthcare providers frequently look to the local Cooperative Extension Service for information for individuals managing diet-related chronic diseases. Nutrition is the cornerstone of diabetes management and the Extension program Taking Ownership of Your Diabetes helps Kentuckians manage their own or that of a loved one’s diabetes through nutrition education. The goal of Taking Ownership of Your Diabetes is to encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors with a focus on building skills needed for diabetes self-management and is usually taught with a local registered nurse, registered dietitian, or certified diabetes educator. This series was hosted and outcomes were reported by the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent in 21 counties all across the Commonwealth. Diabetes support groups are the primary audience for this program.

As a result of the program, 300 participants reported they utilized a diabetes-specific meal plan to manage carbohydrate intake and increase fruit and vegetable consumption. A major component of diabetes self-management is keeping blood sugar levels in the normal range. As a result of the program, 398 and 464 people shared they checked their blood sugar at least 1 time per day and had their A1C (long-term measures of blood sugar) checked in the past year, respectively.

It is well-established that losing just 5-7% of weight can improve the health of individuals with diabetes. Because of the program, 212 individuals took part at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week and 258 individuals implemented at least 3 healthy eating practices to help address their weight (e.g. portion control). As a result, 156 individuals reported losing at least 5% of their body weight as a result of the program.

Finally, as stated above the primary aim of Taking Ownership of Your Diabetes is to increase self-efficacy of skills necessary for diabetes self-management. This was achieved as indicated by the 231 individuals who were able to set at least one goal and accomplish that goal related to managing their diabetes all on their own.