Program Evaluation of Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes: Promoting Healthy Living in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a pressing public health challenge in the United States (U.S.). Community-based diabetes education programs equip individuals with T2D with the knowledge and skills to improve dietary behaviors, build confidence, and better manage their condition to reduce complications. However, few studies evaluate self-care adherence and self-efficacy together. This study examined participant adherence to diabetes self-care practices and confidence in managing diabetes through a community-based education program. Methods: Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes (DWBWD) is a 5-week program focused on reinforcing the best practices in diabetes management through dietary practices, physical activity, and gaining self-confidence in managing T2D. The program was evaluated among 137 participants across 14 Texas counties using pre- and post-surveys that assessed the number of days per week participants engaged in diabetes self-care practices, as well as their confidence in performing these behaviors (rated on a scale from 1 = not at all confident to 5 = extremely confident). Results: Participants were mostly male (75.9%), White (60.6%), and over 65 years (58.4%). Most participants had T2D (57.7%) or prediabetes (27.0%). Compared to the program entry, participants reported improvements (p < 0.001) in self-care practices, as reflected by their mean differences (MD), including following a healthful eating plan (MD −1.46), consuming five servings of fruit and vegetables (MD −0.87), spacing carbohydrate intake evenly throughout the day (MD −1.64), engaging in at least 30 min of daily physical activity (MD −0.74), testing blood glucose (MD −1.08), and checking their feet (MD −1.09). Confidence in performing all self-care behaviors significantly improved (p < 0.001), with MDs between −0.53 and −1.13, indicating higher post-program scores. Conclusions: Participation in the DWBWD program increased confidence in diabetes management and enhanced engagement in key health behaviors associated with reducing diabetes complications.