About the Program
About Med-South
The Med-South Lifestyle Program (called Med-South) is an evidence-based, behavior change intervention that translates a Mediterranean style of eating to align with the food culture of the Southeastern US. The Mediterranean style of eating is associated with reduced risk for many chronic diseases and all-cause mortality and is consistent with the latest guidelines from the American Diabetes Association and USDA Dietary Guidelines. The program includes support for increased physical activity and has optional smoking cessation and medication adherence components. Med-South includes the following components:
Monthly Counseling Sessions
The program materials include a participant manual, which covers both nutrition and physical activity guidance, and a cookbook. Both are written at a fifth-to-sixth grade reading level and are available in English and Spanish. The participant manual covers general information, recommendations, and practical strategies for making changes in dietary and physical activity behavior. The cookbook includes favorite Southern recipes translated into a Mediterranean way of eating.
A health counselor delivers Med-South in four monthly counseling sessions that last between 45 and 60 minutes. Med-South can be delivered as individual or group-based sessions. Each lesson includes a brief dietary assessment, background information, and goal-setting guidance. The sessions incorporate behavioral approaches targeting motivation, self-efficacy, and self-regulation skills. Sessions also cover problem-solving, goal setting, action planning, and self-monitoring skills to address challenges to making changes in eating habits and physical activity behaviors.
Phone Call Check-ins
Health counselors conduct brief, 10- to 15-minute phone calls between monthly counseling sessions to go over individual progress in reaching goals and troubleshoot to solve challenges.
Program Manual and Cookbook
