Diabetes Prevention Lifestyle Change Program offered by FRHD

FALLBROOK – Community members are preventing type 2 diabetes together with the Lifestyle Change program offered by Fallbrook Regional Health Care District. Guided by a trained lifestyle coach, groups of participants are learning the skills they need to make lasting changes such as losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress.

The program has proven results lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% and 71% for those over 60.

“One in three American adults has prediabetes, so the need for prevention has never been greater,” said Bianca Heyming, Program Coordinator and Lifestyle Change Coach at FRHD.

“The Lifestyle Change Program is a CDC approved treatment offering a legitimate approach to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. What makes this program especially unique is that this program utilizes the support of a coach and the comradery of one’s peers,” Heyming added.

Participants learn how to eat healthy, add physical activity to their routine, manage stress, stay motivated, and solve problems that can get in the way of healthy changes. The program’s group setting provides a supportive environment with people who are facing similar challenges and trying to make the same changes. Together, participants celebrate their successes and find ways to overcome obstacles.

FRHD’s Lifestyle Change Program is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The local program utilizes the Prevent T2 curriculum with some local flair and meets at the FRHD Community Health & Wellness Center, 1636 East Mission Road, Tuesday evenings 6-7 p.m.

Participants meet for a year, weekly for the first six months, then once or twice a month for the second six months to maintain healthy lifestyle changes. Should a participant miss a meeting, there will be opportunities to make up the lesson.

This program is free and open to pre-qualified participants with enrollment capped at 25 residents to maintain the integrity and health benefits of the program.

FRHD is collaborating with local doctors and clinics and providing registration opportunities to individual residents as well as individual applications. The program will begin on April 25 and accept new participants through May 23. More information and physician referral forms can be found on the Lifestyle Change page at http://www.fallbrookhealth.org.

To inquire about participating in the program, visit the district’s website or contact Heyming at 760-731-9131 ext. 116.

Submitted by Fallbrook Regional Health Care District.