CHPPR Researchers Aim to Improve Diabetes Self-Management Through Behavior Change and Comprehensive Food Curriculum

Researchers at the Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research (CHPPR) have launched a pilot of an enhanced version of the established and effective SCAN (Sustainable Culturally Adaptive Nutrition) Program integrated with Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) services. This new implementation of the program will help people living with Diabetes more effectively manage their condition, delay or prevent serious complications, and experience better overall health and improved quality of life.

"The SCAN program has shown preliminary evidence that integrating in classes which teach participants how to cook foods that are both nutritious and have a lot of cultural meaning for them can greatly improve the goals of the National Diabetes Prevention Program,” said William B. Perkison, MD, MPH, FACOEM, Multiple Principal Investigator on the project. “We are excited to be able to expand our previous work in the context of the Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support program and are optimistic we will show similarly positive results."

The SCAN program was originally developed as part of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)-funded Diabetes Prevention and Control Grant Program at CHPPR during its previous funding cycle. The program was designed to enhance the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), which despite a proven track record of reducing diabetes incidence rates through intensive, individualized nutrition and exercise management, often struggled with low retention rates among participants.

This version of SCAN incorporated a food incentive model into DPP in order to improve participant adherence. Through the application of established theories of behavior change and culinary medicine, the program was able to increase DPP retention among urban populations of patients diagnosed with pre-diabetes. These patients experienced better outcomes, including increased weight loss, compared to those who only used the DPP.

Building on this proven track record, CHPPR researchers have updated SCAN by integrating it with national DSMES services. Through a partnership with the Nourish program at the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, the team has applied a comprehensive food curriculum to DSMES, designed to help participants change their behaviors and outlook when it comes to food and diet in order to make sustainable, long-term changes.

The pilot of the updated SCAN program is currently being implemented in the Lifestyle Medicine clinic in Katy, Texas. If successful, the program could be expanded to support underserved populations across Texas in managing their diabetes and improving health outcomes.