Abstract

Diabetes affects 12.7% of residents in Northeast Texas and is the 7th leading cause of death. Internal evidence indicates low health literacy and a heavy disease burden in the service area, underscoring the need for a standardized, low-cost, and feasible approach to nutrition education. This quality improvement project evaluated the feasibility of implementing an instructor-led nutrition education session. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Framework and the ADKAR behavioral change model, adult participants with Type 2 diabetes received instruction on the Plate Method. Participants enrolled in a 4-week, instructor-led diabetes education class completed a 1-hour, nutrition education session using the Plate Method. The session included a visual demonstration and guided meal planning. Participants were evaluated at weeks 1, 3, and 4 for changes in the overall Stanford Diabetes Self-efficacy score. A total of 5 participants attended the 4-week diabetes education class. Of these, 2 (40%) completed all 3 self-efficacy assessments. Self-efficacy scores increased by 7.81% for one participant and declined by 68.12% for the other. Overall class participation ranged from 80% to 100% over the 4-week period. Implementing the Plate Method in group-based community health center sessions is feasible, and participation rates are high. The Plate Method offers a low-cost, simple approach to teaching portion control and balanced meal planning.

Date of publication

Summer 8-2026

Document Type

DNP Scholarly Project

Language

english

Persistent identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/10950/5128

Committee members

Dr. Gina Nickels-Nelson, Dr. Emily Fox, Dr. Mary McInnis, Dr. Jenifer Chilton

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice

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