African American adults face higher rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes than other groups. Researchers created a new program called DG3D that teaches people how to prepare healthy meals using three different eating styles: the standard American healthy diet, the Mediterranean diet, and a vegetarian diet. Over 12 months, participants attended cooking classes, watched demonstrations, and accessed online lessons. The study measured whether these cooking classes helped people eat better, lose weight, and lower their diabetes risk. This research is important because it’s designed specifically for African American communities, rather than using one-size-fits-all approaches that don’t always work for everyone.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether teaching African American adults to cook healthy meals using three different eating styles could help them eat better, lose weight, and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
  • Who participated: African American adults who were overweight or obese and had at least three other risk factors for diabetes (like high blood pressure or high cholesterol). The exact number of participants wasn’t specified in the study description.
  • Key finding: This is a study protocol describing the research plan rather than final results. The study is designed to test whether culturally tailored cooking classes and nutrition education can improve eating habits and reduce diabetes risk in African American communities.
  • What it means for you: If you’re an African American adult concerned about diabetes risk, this research suggests that cooking classes tailored to your cultural food preferences may be more helpful than generic nutrition advice. However, results from the full study are still being gathered.

The Research Details

The DG3D study is a randomized controlled trial, which is considered the gold standard for testing whether a treatment works. Researchers randomly assigned African American adults with overweight or obesity to one of three groups, each learning a different healthy eating style: the standard U.S. Healthy Diet, the Mediterranean Diet (based on foods eaten in Mediterranean countries), or a Vegetarian Diet. All participants received the same amount of support over 12 months, including group cooking classes where they learned hands-on skills, live cooking demonstrations where they could watch and ask questions, and online educational materials they could access anytime. The study measured results at the beginning, at 6 months, and at 12 months to see how much people improved.

What makes this study special is that the three diets were adapted to fit African American food traditions and preferences, rather than asking people to completely change their eating culture. This is important because previous nutrition guidelines haven’t always worked well for Black communities, partly because they didn’t account for cultural food preferences and traditions.

The researchers masked the study, meaning participants knew which diet group they were in, but some staff members didn’t know which group was which. This helps prevent bias in how they treat different groups.

African American adults have higher rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes than other groups in the United States. This health disparity exists partly because general nutrition advice doesn’t always fit with cultural food traditions. By testing three different healthy eating approaches that respect African American food culture, this study could find which approaches work best for this community. The results could help create better health programs and policies that actually work for the people they’re meant to help.

This is a well-designed study because it uses random assignment (which reduces bias), includes three comparison groups (which helps identify what actually works), and follows people for a full year (which shows whether changes last). The study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, which means the researchers committed to their plan before starting and will share their results publicly. However, this document describes the study plan rather than the actual results, so we don’t yet know whether the intervention worked.

What the Results Show

This document describes the study design and methods rather than final results. The researchers plan to measure three main outcomes: (1) Diet quality using a scoring system called the Healthy Eating Index, which rates how well people follow nutrition guidelines; (2) Body weight changes to see if participants lost weight; and (3) Hemoglobin A1c levels, which is a blood test that shows average blood sugar control over three months and indicates diabetes risk.

The study will compare these measurements at three time points: when people start the program, after 6 months, and after 12 months. This allows researchers to see whether changes happen quickly or take longer, and whether improvements continue throughout the year.

Because this is a protocol paper (the study plan), the actual findings haven’t been published yet. The study was registered in 2021, so results may be available or coming soon.

While the main focus is on diet quality, weight, and blood sugar control, researchers will likely also track other important health measures. These might include blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and how well people stick with the program. Understanding which diet style people find easiest to follow is also important, since the best diet is one people can actually maintain long-term.

Previous research shows that cooking classes and hands-on nutrition education work better than just giving people written information. However, most studies haven’t specifically tested whether adapting these programs to match cultural food preferences makes them work even better. This study fills that gap by testing whether culturally tailored versions of three different healthy eating approaches are more effective for African American adults than generic programs.

Since this is a study protocol rather than completed research, we don’t yet know the actual results. The study focuses specifically on African American adults, so findings may not apply equally to other groups. The study doesn’t mention how many people were recruited or whether they had enough participants to draw strong conclusions. Additionally, the study relies on people attending classes and following the program, so results may vary depending on how engaged participants are.

The Bottom Line

This research suggests that culturally tailored cooking classes and nutrition education may help African American adults improve their eating habits and reduce diabetes risk. However, final results aren’t available yet. If you’re interested in preventing type 2 diabetes, look for nutrition programs that respect your cultural food traditions rather than asking you to abandon them completely. Confidence level: Moderate (based on study design, pending final results).

This research is most relevant for African American adults who are overweight or obese and have risk factors for type 2 diabetes (like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or family history of diabetes). It’s also important for healthcare providers, public health officials, and policymakers who want to create more effective diabetes prevention programs for underserved communities. The findings may also be helpful for other communities of color facing similar health disparities.

Based on the study design, participants received support for 12 months. Meaningful improvements in diet quality might appear within 3-6 months, while weight loss and blood sugar improvements typically take longer. Sustainable lifestyle changes usually require at least 6-12 months to become habits.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly meal prep activities and the number of home-cooked meals prepared using the three diet styles taught in the program. Measure progress by photographing meals and noting which cultural recipes were adapted to fit the healthy eating guidelines.
  • Use the app to access cooking video demonstrations and recipes adapted for the three diet styles. Set weekly reminders for meal planning and grocery shopping, and log which meals you prepared from the program’s recipes. Track attendance at virtual or in-person cooking classes.
  • Monitor diet quality monthly by logging meals and comparing them to the Healthy Eating Index guidelines. Track weight weekly and blood sugar levels (if applicable) every 3 months. Record which diet style feels most sustainable and culturally appropriate for your family, and adjust your approach based on what you’re actually able to maintain.

This article describes a research study protocol and does not present final results. The findings discussed are based on the study design and expected outcomes, not on completed research. If you have type 2 diabetes or are at risk for developing it, consult with your healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes. This information is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. Always speak with your doctor or a registered dietitian before starting any new eating plan or nutrition program.