Year
2026
Season
Summer
Paper Type
Doctoral Dissertation
College
Brooks College of Health
Degree Name
Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN)
Department
Nutrition & Dietetics
Committee Chairperson
Casey Colin
Second Advisor
Jennifer Ross
Rights Statement
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Third Advisor
Lauren Butler
Department Chair
Dr. Andrea Arikawa
College Dean
Dr. Mei Zhao
Abstract
Background: Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) is an evidence-based intervention that improves diabetes outcomes. However, evidence on the effectiveness of DSME delivered by registered dietitians (RDs) who are also Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCESs) remains limited.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of DSME provided by an RD, CDCES with changes in HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and body mass index (BMI) in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted among 437 adults with T2DM who received American Diabetes Association (ADA) recognized DSME services from an RD, CDCES in an academic medical center. Clinical outcomes, including HbA1c, FBG, and BMI, were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographic characteristics of the population. Linear mixed-effects model analyses were used for the longitudinal data to evaluate changes in the clinical outcomes over time.
Results: Linear mixed-effects analyses demonstrated significant improvements in HbA1c, FBG, and BMI over the 12-month study period following DSME delivered by the RD, CDCES (all p < 0.001). Additional analyses showed that total annual RD, CDCES contact hours were significantly associated with changes in HbA1c and FBG over time, as evidenced by significant Time × Contact Hours interactions (both p < 0.001). However, the Time × Contact Hours interaction was not significant for BMI (p = 0.109), indicating that BMI improvement over time was not significantly influenced by total annual contact hours.
Conclusion: DSME provided by an RD, CDCES was associated with significant improvements in HbA1c, FBG, and BMI among adults with T2DM. These findings support the essential role of RD, CDCESs in delivering DSME and provide evidence for expanding the integration and reimbursement of RD, CDCES-led diabetes education services.
Suggested Citation
Chatterjee, Suvosree, "Association of diabetes self-management education (DSME) delivered by registered dietitian (RD), certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES) with changes in HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, and body mass index in people with type 2 diabetes" (2026). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 1469.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/1469
Accessibility Statement
This item was created or digitized before April 24, 2027, or is a reproduction of legacy material created before that date. It is preserved in its original, unmodified state specifically for research, reference, or historical recordkeeping. In accordance with the ADA Title II Final Rule, the Library provides accessible versions of archival materials by request. If you are experiencing difficulty accessing the information on the site due to a disability, please submit a request through the following form for assistance.