According to the Kentucky Department for Public Health, one in seven Kentucky adults has been diagnosed with diabetes.  Breathitt County, which is part of the Kentucky River Area, has upwards of 22 percent of the adult population diagnosed diabetic.  Although community members may know the diagnosis or the diagnosis of a loved one, learning how to manage this new lifestyle can be difficult.  Providing programming on lifestyle change is important for overall physical, and metal health of those diagnosed diabetic, and is also important for caregivers.

Breathitt County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Kayla Watts, in partnership with the Breathitt County Diabetes Coalition, hosted the National Dining with Diabetes program.  This program featured four separate classes, with each meeting focusing on one aspect of managing diabetes and healthy nutrition, as well as, focused on diabetic friendly foods/recipes that could be incorporated into a healthy diet.  

15 Breathitt County citizens participated in the Dining with Diabetes program. Participants engaged in preparing new recipes and engaged in discussion on how understanding basic nutrition, reading labels, and knowing/understanding health numbers could help them manage the disease.

Dining with Diabetes was a successful program! 100% of participants indicated and increase in knowledge of basic nutrition principles that relate to diabetes.  Also, participants indicated an increase in knowledge of recipes and food preparation that could benefit those with diabetes.   One participant remarked, “The diabetic recipes are as tasty as using regular recipes.  I have learned to read labels more carefully.”  A three-month follow-up survey was given to participants.   Of those 3-month returned surveys, participants indicated they were still incorporating the information they learned from the class by adding exercise into their day, practicing portion control, and reading labels more closely.  

Dining with Diabetes is a program that community members enjoyed and appreciated.  Programs like these allow Extension Agents an opportunity to educate the community about diabetic health and educate those diagnosed with the disease and caregivers on the importance of diabetes management for a healthy living.