Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that affects a multitude of people in the United States especially those in lower socioeconomic strata. Low income earning adults have higher rates of diabetes and increased risk of complications such as heart disease, stroke, neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Diabetes nutrition education is considered to be an important aspect in the care plan of adults with Type 2 diabetes. However, many times low-income patients are not able to afford this care. The use of diabetes nutrition counseling provided at a Midwest community health clinic became a viable solution to meet this need for diabetes nutrition education and knowledge of appropriate foods that lead to improved glycemic control for participants. Implementation of an in-clinic diabetic nutrition education program increased knowledge regarding nutrition for patients with Type 2 diabetes empowering adults to make informed choices regarding their nutrition
