Newton Family and Pediatric Clinic is helping residents start the new year off right with the first ever Diabetes Prevention Program.
The program, which will be held Jan. 8 at 5:30 p.m., will focus on health behaviors to reduce weight, improve nutrition and prevent those at risk of Type 2 diabetes from contracting the disease.
Kiesha Oliphant, a certified lifestyle coach, who is organizing the event, said Type 2 diabetes effects over 300,000 Mississippians and can severely impact someone’s health.
“Prediabetes is one of the fastest growing health threats to Americans today because of the tremendous risk of developing Type 2 diabetes,” she said via email. “Complications of Type 2 diabetes include: cardiovascular disease, stroke and some cancers. These consequences are a direct result of inadequate blood sugar control, obesity, lack of physical activity and sedentary lifestyles. I am seeking to find a solution to reducing these alarming statistics.”
Using the Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Curriculum, which was developed by Centers for Disease Control to help educate people on how to mitigate risk factors for diabetes, Oliphant hopes to help Newton County residents, who may show some risk of Type 2 diabetes improve their health.
“As of date, no diabetes prevention initiative had been utilized in rural health practices,” Oliphant said. “This would be the first ever preventative effort for Type 2 diabetes.”
If successful in Newton County, Oliphant hopes others across the state will use preventive methods as well to improve diabetes statistics for Mississippi and help residents lead longer, healthier lives.
Once participant are selected, the program is expected to last appropriately 16 weeks with weekly sessions lasting about an hour, Oliphant said.
Participation in the Diabetes Prevention Program is open to all those 18 years old and older and are considered prediabetic. The program is completely voluntary and is offered at no cost.
For accurate data in the study, Oliphant said she will need about 20 people. She said those who want to participate should call Newton Family and Pediatric Clinic at 601-683-3001 and leave a contact number or email to reserve their slot.
Spots will fill up fast, residents are encouraged to RSVP psooner rather than later.
