Diet Quality Outcomes of a Cooperative Extension Diabetes Prevention Program

Abstract

Objective: The effectiveness of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) in improving diet quality (DQ) in community settings is largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the DQ changes of Extension DPP participants.

Methods: A single-group, repeated-measures design was used to evaluate an Extension-implemented DPP using the PreventT2 curriculum. Participants were overweight adults with or at high risk for prediabetes (n = 88). Weight and DQ (Healthy Eating Index-2015, Dietary Screener Questionnaire) were evaluated using mixed-effects regression.

Results: There was no change in the Healthy Eating Index-2015 total score. Predicted fiber, fruit, and vegetable intake increased (P < 0.05) but remained below recommendations.

Conclusions and implications: Clinically meaningful DQ changes of Extension DPP participants were limited. The effect of the DPP on DQ in Extension and other implementation settings should be evaluated through randomized controlled trials. Diabetes Prevention Program curriculum revisions that include more specific dietary goals and educational tools may promote greater DQ changes in DPP participants.

Keywords: Cooperative Extension; National Diabetes Prevention Program; diet quality; prediabetes; weight management.