Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) continues to be a public health epidemic across Kentucky. Public health professionals believe 1 in 7 adults in Kentucky have diagnosed T2D, 13.7% of the adult population which is higher than the national average at 10.5%. In addition, 1 in 3 adults have diagnosed or undiagnosed prediabetes, which equals approximately 1.1 million Kentucky adults at greater risk of developing T2D.

Specifically, Washington County in central Kentucky, faces diagnosed diabetes rates similar to the state prevalence at 13.7%. Fortunately, support programs and education that focus on preparing healthy meals, living an active lifestyle, and problem-solving can reduce the risk of developing T2D or help manage the complications associated with T2D. 

In response to this growing prevalence, UK Family and Consumer Sciences Extension partnered with the UK Healthcare Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center to establish a CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program in Washington County. This partnership utilized the existing educational infrastructure provided by the Cooperative Extension Service to provide a year-long evidence-based program to prevent the development of T2D in individuals diagnosed with prediabetes. The first 6 months of this program includes weekly meetings with the goal of losing 5-7% body weight for participants. The second half of the year provides fewer meetings which focus on establishing sustainability in behavior change for the participants. Together, this year-long program includes 26 total sessions with each session lasting 45-60 minutes. 

The FCS Agent in Washington County has completed the entire year-long program with 100% retention. The first 17 sessions were offered in person at the Washington County Cooperative Extension Office. However, due to COVID-19, the group decided to try a virtual format and completed the 9 remaining sessions in a virtual format during 2020. 

Twelve adults (83% female; median age 67.3), either diagnosed with prediabetes or at risk for diabetes, participated in the group. Collectively, each participant lost an average of 5.6% body weight with 75% of participants reaching their weight loss goals set at the beginning of the program – meeting program goals of losing 5-7% body weight per participant. On average, each participant lost 15 pounds. As a group, participants lost a total of 185 pounds. In addition, participants individually averaged 251 minutes of physical activity each week, far exceeding the national recommendations of 150 minutes.

As a result of the program, individuals shared there were certain obstacles that they were able to overcome including making healthier snack choices and buying less junk food for snacks. Participants shared they made healthy changes to their activity by walking every day, ordering walking sticks, and being more active overall each day. Healthy changes to eating practices mentioned by participants included writing it down and keeping track, being more aware of ingredients, seeking out more variety and eating more simply and portion control. Most importantly, participants shared that throughout the year long program they learned that they were a “work in progress” and to “try to have more patience with myself.” 

In sum, the Diabetes Prevention Program was a success in Washington County, demonstrating an effective long-term program that lead to sustained behavior change over time with substantial weight loss and commitment from the participants.