UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Diabetes afflicts approximately 17 million Americans, and a new study by faculty in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will examine how married and cohabiting couples respond when one partner must cope with the disease.

Lynne Brown, associate professor of food science, says her study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, grew out of an earlier, smaller study of 20 couples in which one partner had a recent diagnosis of Type 2 (or non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. All of the couples had trouble dealing with the dietary changes required by diabetes, but Brown observed three patterns of adjustment among the group.

"In some couples, the diabetic was almost totally responsible for managing the diet on his or her own," she says. "There were also couples in which the non-diabetic partner planned most of the diet, and couples in which they shared responsibilities.

"Many times, if one member of a couple is diabetic, both will need to change food choices and negotiate diet adjustments that are satisfactory. Lots aren't able to do that. In couples where the non-diabetic plans the diet, dietary rules can feel imposed. The diabetic resents this, and the diet doesn't last or the non-diabetic spouse burns out."

Brown says couples who work together can negotiate new food patterns and set up rules that work for both. If one partner gets sick the other can assist.

"The survey will help us identify the different types of couples and, in conjunction with educational materials we hope to develop, will enable diabetes educators to counsel couples so they can overcome barriers unique to implementing diet," Brown says. "So far, we've surveyed diabetics who have managed to adapt to diet regardless of circumstances. Now we need diabetics who represent a broad range of situations, so we can generate an instrument that works with those situations."

The study calls for a total of 200 married or cohabiting couples. Only the diabetic would be required to complete a series of questionnaires. Because Hispanic and African American minorities suffer much more from the disease (both higher incidences and worse outcomes than the general population), Brown is especially interested in getting volunteers from those groups.

"Volunteering for this study is a way for people with Type 2 diabetes to help other diabetics and support National Diabetes Month," she says. "We need couples who are 45 years of age or older, have been living with the same partner for at least one year, and who have been using diet in some manner to control blood glucose, even if they're taking medications or insulin."

Volunteers will complete questionnaires during one visit to their nearest Penn State Cooperative Extension county office, and will receive $20 upon completion. Couples can call (800) 406-0556 (toll free) to volunteer or to learn more about the study.

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EDITORS: Contact J. Lynne Brown at 814-863-3973 or e-mail f9a@psu.edu.

Contact: Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-863-9877 fax #279