UTILIZING A 24-HOUR DIETARY RECALL AND CULTURALLY SPECIFIC DIABETES EDUCATION IN MEXICAN-AMERICANS WITH DIABETES

Two objectives were established for this study: 1) to assess the impac t of a culturally specific, intensive diabetes education program on di etary patterns, and 2) to assess nutrient consumption relative to the Recommended Dietary Allowances. The study population consisted of elde rly Mexican Americans with diabetes living in Harlingen and Brownsvill e, Texas. The experimental group (n = 78) participated in an intense, 2-hour nutrition education session, while the control group (n = 74) d id not. The education session was conducted for groups of eight subjec ts via videotapes and interactive discussion. All groups experienced s ignificant weight loss except the women in the experimental group. Aft er the education program, however, the experimental women had increase d the percentage of calories consumed daily from carbohydrate. Mean ca lcium consumption was substantially less than the RDA in all groups, a nd inadequate amounts of ascorbic acid and vitamin A often were consum ed. Intensive, frequent, long-term follow-up appears essential for mor e sustained results.