Saint Joseph Mercy Health System is bringing the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) to Livingston County. The year-long NDPP will meet at two locations:
• Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. beginning June 20, 2018. A preview session is scheduled for 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, at the First United Methodist in Howell, located at 1230 Bower Street, Room 10.
• Wednesdays from 2 to 3 p.m. beginning June 20, 2018. A preview session is scheduled for 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, at the Hamburg Senior Center, 10407 Merrill Road in Hamburg.
NDPP helps those at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating right, increasing physical activity and losing a modest amount of weight. In a classroom setting, a trained lifestyle coach facilitates a small group of participants in learning about behavior changes over 16 one-hour sessions. Topics include healthier eating, getting started with physical activity, overcoming stress, staying motivated, and more. The group helps to motivate and encourage each other. After the initial 16 core sessions, participants meet monthly for additional support to help maintain their progress.
To qualify for NDPP, a person must be overweight and at high risk for developing diabetes, or overweight and have been diagnosed by a physician as someone with prediabetes.
One out of three adults lives with prediabetes, most of whom are unaware of their condition. In Michigan, that is about 2.6 million adults. Livingston County has a total population of 187,316 individuals with a diabetes rate of 9 percent. However, Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with a healthy lifestyle, as evidenced through the NDPP.
To participate in the NDPP, a person must be overweight and have prediabetes or be at high risk. Prediabetes is determined by one of the following blood test results:
• Fasting plasma glucose between 100-125 mg/d
• A1c between 5.7 percent and 6.4 percent
• Two-hour plasma glucose between 140 to 199 mg/dl
In addition, a combination of risk factors, such as family history, being overweight or obese, gestational diabetes and inactivity may also put a person at risk and therefore make them eligible for the NDPP.
To register for NDPP or learn more about the program, call Leigh Vogelsong at (517) 545-5245 or visit www.stjoeshealth.org/Livingston and select classes and events. You can also check this article for more information Act1 Diabetes, Diabetes blog, Diabetes care, Diabates News.
