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Soul Food LightCulturally Competent Diabetes EducationFrom the College of Nursing (Dr Anderson-Loftin, Dr Tavakoli) and the School of Public Health (Dr Hussey), University of South Carolina, Columbia; Fairfield Medical Associates, Winnsboro, South Carolina (Dr Barnett); Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, South Carolina (Ms Bunn); and Fairfield Diabetes Center and Fairfield Memorial Hospital, Winnsboro, South Carolina (Ms Sullivan). Correspondence to Wanda Anderson-Loftin, PhD, University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, Columbia, SC 29209 (wanda.anderson-loftin{at}sc.edu). Purpose The purpose of this study was to test effects of a culturally competent, dietary self-management intervention on physiological outcomes and dietary behaviors for African Americans with type 2 diabetes. Methods A longitudinal experimental study was conducted in rural South Carolina with a sample of 97 adult African Americans with type 2 diabetes who were randomly assigned to either usual care or the intervention. The intervention consisted of 4 weekly classes in low-fat dietary strategies, 5 monthly peer-professional group discussions, and weekly telephone follow-up. The culturally competent approach reflected the ethnic beliefs, values, customs, food preferences, language, learning methods, and health care practices of southern African Americans. Results Body mass index and dietary fat behaviors were significantly lowered in the experimental group. At 6 months, weight decreased 1.8 kg (4 lb) for the experimental group and increased 1.9 kg (4.2 lb) for the control group, a net difference of 3.7 kg (8.2 lb). The experimental group reduced high-fat dietary habits to moderate while high-fat dietary habits of the control group remained essentially unchanged. A trend in reduction of A1C and lipids was observed. Conclusions
Results suggest the effectiveness of a culturally competent dietary
self-management intervention in improvinghealth outcomes for southern African
Americans, especially those at risk due to high-fat diets and body mass index
The Diabetes Educator, Vol. 31, No. 4,
555-563 (2005) This article has been cited by other articles:
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35 kg/mm2. Given the burgeoning problem of obesity in South
Carolina and the nation, the time has come to focus on aggressive weight
management. Diabetes educators are in pivotal positions to assume leadership
in achieving this goal for vulnerable, rural populations. 
