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Healthy Drama? Why Soap Operas May Help Fight Diabetes

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A mother and daughter fret over diabetes in a Spanish-language soap opera. (UMass Medical School)
A mother and daughter fret over diabetes in a Spanish-language soap opera. (UMass Medical School)

Can soap operas help jump start a healthier lifestyle?

One group of researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center thinks they might help. In a recent community-based approach, researchers used various techniques — including cooking classes, supermarket tours, and yes, soap operas — to help Lawrence residents at risk of developing diabetes to stave off the disease.

After one year, results for these study participants, most with less than a high school education and with an average Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35, considered obese, were mixed.

In our weekly Commonhealth segment, we'll take a closer look.

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This program aired on December 20, 2011.

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