Diabetes, Women & Cooking Matters: An Exploratory Study Using PhotoVoice

The focus of this research project was to investigate how experience with food changed as a result of participating in the Cooking Matters program for women with diabetes. No prior research had been done to examine the effect of Cooking Matters participation on those with diabetes, a growing group with long-term needs to improve their dietary intake. Cooking Matters is a national, federally-funded program offered by Share Our Strength to people who live below the poverty line. Teams of volunteer chefs and registered dietitians teach a six-week series of classes that include nutrition instruction followed by hands-on cooking practice to illustrate the ideas presented in that class. Participants leave with the recipe and enough food to make that recipe at home.;Women living in Detroit who attended the Conner Creek Medical Center programs and who completed Cooking Matters were invited to complete a survey and participate in seven-weeks of follow-up classes that combined photography and discussion. The PhotoVoice method was used to collect data, and a phenomenological framework was used to evaluate the data. A comparison group allowed statistical analysis of quantitative medical measurements.;Statistically significant results indicated that women who participated in Cooking Matters had lower Hemoglobin A1c values than those who did not, and that these values continued to drop over a nine-month time period after the classes ended. Furthermore, participants exercised more, ate breakfast more often and read labels more often than non-participants. Participants suffered from less hunger issues than non-participants. Cooking Matters was found to be a financially feasible means to improve the lives both qualitatively and quantitatively of those who participate in the program.;Other results indicated the process of creating artwork in a supportive community environment empowered women to become advocates for healthier lives. This process amplified the results of the Cooking Matters course. Since research indicates that many current diabetes education programs have low levels of patient compliance, this study recommends medical partnership with a community-based, hands-on cooking course with an art-based follow-up program that extends the learning time and creates community.