D1.02 - Oral: Lessons Learned and Future Research of Implementing a Diabetes Prevention Tool in Food Pantries

Brief Abstract Summary: During this presentation, attendees will LEARN about the On Your Way to Preventing Type 2 Diabetes (OYW) tool developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tool. This presentation will describe mixed-method efforts to assess the effectiveness, applicability, and feasibility of the adapted OYW tool and supplemental materials on prevention behaviors and knowledge of and motivation toward type 2 diabetes prevention among food pantry patrons. We will also describe areas for lessons learned and future research to improve prevention behavior self-efficacy when encountering rural barriers, incorporate interpersonal scholarship to inform supportive practices, and develop curricula that account for intersectional perspectives. Public health practitioners will understand the process, lessons learned, and future research efforts of implementing a diabetes prevention tool within food pantries.

Detailed abstract description: People who live in rural areas are diagnosed with diabetes at a higher rate than people who do not live in rural areas and are less likely to have access to and participate in adequate prevention and management services. On Your Way to Preventing Type 2 Diabetes (On Your Way) is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tool that provides information about prediabetes and preventing type 2 diabetes. We tailored and adapted the current On Your Way tool using a three-part process, including conducting a formative evaluation using a sequential mixed-method study design. This presentation will describe efforts to assess the effectiveness, applicability, and feasibility of the adapted On Your Way tool and supplemental materials on prevention behaviors and knowledge of and motivation toward type 2 diabetes prevention among food pantry patrons. The aforementioned efforts were conducted through surveys and interviews of a Qualtrics panel and two food pantries (N=116) in the U.S. Southeast and West regions. Participants reported that the On Your Way tool was beneficial for improving self-efficacy and motivation toward physical activity and healthy eating. Participants expressed a high degree of positive sentiment for the adapted On Your Way tool and suggested additional prevention information and social support for personalizing the content to meet individual needs. Findings yielded lessons learned and recommendations that can inform the development and use of diabetes prevention tools. During the presentation, participants will also learn about future research to improve prevention behavior self-efficacy when encountering rural barriers, incorporate interpersonal scholarship to inform supportive practices, and develop curricula that account for intersectional perspectives. As a result of the presentation, public health practitioners will understand the process of, lessons learned in, and future research efforts of implementing a diabetes prevention tool within food banks.