Diabetes prevention in a faith-based setting: Results of translational research

Aim: The purpose of this study was to translate the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) into a church-based setting. Methods: The lifestyle arm of the NIH-DPP was implemented in an African American Baptist church. Church members 18 years or older completed a risk screen during Sunday service followed by fasting glucose (FG) testing at the church during the week. Persons with prediabetes participated in a 16-session DPP conducted over 4 months. Participation rates, height, weight, blood pressure (BP) and FG were followed for 12 months post- intervention. Fifty participants completed the risk screen, 26 were at risk for diabetes, 16 of 26 received FG testing, and 8 had prediabetes (FG = 100125 mg/dL). Results: The mean participation rate was 10.4 (65%) sessions. Following the intervention, weight, systolic and diastolic BP, and FG decreased by 7.5 lb (3.6%), 16 mm Hg (11.7%), 12 mm Hg (114.0%), and 5 mg/dL (4.8%), respectively (P <.05). In comparison with baseline, significant reductions were evident at 6 and 12 months postintervention for all endpoints. Conclusions: This study demonstrated successful translation of the 16-session NIH-DPP into a church-based setting, Future studies should test this intervention in churches of different sizes and denominations.