Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2013

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

DNP

College

School of Nursing

Department

Not Listed

Committee Chair

Kari Sand-Jecklin.

Abstract

This capstone project evaluated the Idaho Plate Method (IPM) as an effective nutrition self-management program for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with limited health literacy (LHL) in one rural clinic in West Virginia. A one-way pretest-posttest design was used to evaluate the effects of the program on food choices, confidence, and HbA1c. A convenience sample of 30 volunteers participated in the program with 3-month follow-up data collected on 22 volunteers. A Wilcoxon test was conducted to evaluate choices of fruits, vegetables, and fatty foods and participant confidence in making healthful food choices. Data analysis found significant differences in fruit intake (z = -1.98, p 0.05); vegetables intake (z = -2.58, p .01); and skim milk intake (z = -2.094, p .04). There was a decrease intake of French-fries and fried potatoes (z = -2.26, p .02); butter or margarine on bread or pancakes (z = -2.494, p .01); regular fat hot dogs (z = -2.693, p<0.01); and total fat consumption ( z = -2.50, p .01). A significant increase in confidence was found in participants ability to prepare or share food with non-diabetics (z = -3.10, p .002); to choose appropriate foods when hungry (z = -2.72, p = .006); to eat smaller portions at dinner (z = -2.46, p .014); and to add less fat than a recipe calls for (z = -2.10, p .035). Paired t-test analysis compared pretest-posttest HbA1c results with a very nearly significant difference between the HbA1c pretest ( M = 7.96, SD = 1.83) and posttest (M = 7.34, SD = 1.60), t (24) = 2.02, p .055). Limitations of the study included the study design, lack of participants with LHL, high attrition rate, and study time restraints. Conclusions found, despite limitations, adults in rural WV with T2DM increased confidence in making healthy food choices, choosing healthy foods, and improving their glycemic control using the IPM.

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