Abstract
Objective
The purpose of this study was to increase type 2 diabetes (T2DM) awareness and decrease T2DM risk factors by examining effectiveness of a modified version of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) with adolescents.
Design and Sample
A quasi‐experimental one‐group, pretest/posttest design was used to determine impact of the modified DPP on adolescents. Study intervention was incorporated into the health education curriculum at a public charter school and implemented over 11 weeks. Study sample included primarily African‐American and Hispanic adolescents (N = 101) aged 13–18 attending the public charter school in a New Jersey urban community.
Measures
Instrumentation included valid, reliable measures of self‐efficacy for healthy eating, physical activity, food knowledge, and healthy food choices. Participants’ pretest/posttest waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) were collected.
Results
Outcomes revealed significant (p < .001) increase in participants’ food knowledge, self‐efficacy for choosing healthy foods and performing physical activity, healthy food choices, and amount of weekly aerobic exercise. Reductions in BMI and waist circumference were statistically significant (p < .05).
Conclusions
A modified DPP adapted for adolescents’ learning needs lowered risk for T2DM. Implications for clinical practice, education, and research are posed.