RiverView Health recently earned the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Full Recognition for its Prevent Type 2 Diabetes program run by RiverView Dietician Darcey Larsen, RD LD, and RiverView Health Coach Kelsey Billing, RN, BSN. “This designation is reserved for programs that have effectively delivered a quality, evidence-based program that meets all of the standards for CDC recognition,’’ shared Ann Albright, CDC director of Diabetes Prevention. “The sustained success of your lifestyle change program makes an invaluable contribution to the prevention of type 2 diabetes, both in your community and nationally. It is immensely gratifying to see the science of diabetes prevention being implemented to improve the public’s health… It is programs like yours that are turning the tide in the fight against the epidemic of type 2 diabetes.’’
RiverView’s prevention program began in June 2016. The program is free and open to anyone who feels at risk of developing diabetes or has been diagnosed with prediabetes – a condition that occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Numbers Don’t Lie
Each series is for a year with weekly meetings for the first six months, going to twice-monthly meetings to round out the year. Classes include discussion and education on a variety of topics including nutrition and activity to help prevent type 2 diabetes. Participants go home with helpful handouts, tips, and activities.
Larsen and Billing are currently in the middle of their third series of classes due to wrap up in December. A new series will begin in January.
Below is a report of the success each RiverView Prevent Type 2 Diabetes group has experienced:
· June 2016 class: Eight participants lost a total of 71 pounds
· January 2017 class made up of groups in Crookston, Red Lake Falls, and Fertile: 23 participants lost 327.5 pounds
· January 2018 class (weight loss totals for first six months of the year for groups in Crookston, Fertile, and Red Lake Falls): 19 participants lost 104.6 pounds
The numbers above add up to great success for the 50 participants and the program with a total of more than 503 pounds lost. “I think that the most amazing part of this class is watching people realize that they can make lifelong healthy changes and it doesn’t have to be a hard, scary process,’’ Billing stated. “Providing people with the tools they need to lead long, healthy lives is very fulfilling.’’
Are You at Risk?
Eighty-six million Americans have prediabetes – that’s one out of three adults. Of those 86 million, nine out of 10 of them don’t even know they have it. People with prediabetes not only have a higher risk of developing diabetes but also heart disease and stroke. To determine your risk, take the Centers for Disease Control’s prediabetes screening test at www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/pdf/prediabetestest.pdf.
You don’t have to accept the fate of becoming diabetic. You can fight to reverse your path and become a champion of your own health.
If you are concerned about your risk of prediabetes, do not wait for the next series of classes to begin in January. Contact RiverView Health at 281-9519 to make an appointment with Larsen to learn how to get on a healthier path.
RiverView Health’s Darcey Larson and Kelsey Billing
