Do you have high blood sugar? Are you at risk for developing diabetes?
Riverwood Healthcare is offering a prevention program called I CAN Prevent Diabetes. This community-based, lifestyle change program offers diabetes prevention education and support for people with pre-diabetes or who are at risk for pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
The class series will be offered for 16 weeks on Tuesdays, from November 19 through March 18, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. atRiverwoodHealthcareCenterin Aitkin. The program also includes six monthly support groups to be scheduled after core class completion.
Meeting with a trained Riverwood instructor, you will learn how to create a healthier lifestyle and prevent diabetes. Participants will get information on how to lose weight, eat healthier and increase physical activity.
“An individual with pre-diabetes can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes by making simple lifestyle changes,” says Lisa Kuklis, registered dietitian who oversees Riverwood’s Diabetes Education services. “Diet and moderate exercise resulting in a 5-7% weight loss (usually about 10 -15 pounds) are often effective enough to bring blood sugar levels back down to a healthy range.”
After participating in the program over the summer, Lavonne Anderson saw great results.
She comments: “I was very overweight and had a high blood sugar level. I had lost 13 pounds just before the class and over the next four months, I dropped 37 more pounds for a total of 50 pounds altogether. I’m no longer in danger of getting diabetes as long as I maintain my weight loss. The class was very well worth the time invested and the instructors were quite helpful and knowledgeable.”
The I CAN Prevent Diabetes class series is offered at no cost to participants. For registration information and to find out how you can qualify to participate, call the Riverwood Diabetes Center at (218) 927-8281.
For more information on I CAN Prevent Diabetes, a program that is offered nationally, go to www.icanpreventdiabetes.org For more information on pre-diabetes, go to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org/pre-diabetes.jsp
