There are several openings for people with pre-diabetes in the free diabetes prevention course offered by St. Vincent Healthcare and the Billings YMCA. The SVH Diabetes Center was awarded a contract with the State of Montana to implement a translational research project focused on balancing one’s lifestyle for diabetes and cardiac disease prevention. New classes will begin in the fall.
Seven classes are currently underway for the 16-week course. Registration for fall sessions is available now! To sign up for the program call St. Vincent Healthcare registered dieticians and lifestyle coaches, Lane Guyse or Bev McHugh at The Diabetes Prevention Program at the YMCA, 248-1685, extension 208.
- Studies show that exercise and balanced nutrition reduce the risk of some cancers, increase longevity, help achieve and maintain weight loss, lowers blood pressure, and even can improve arthritis.
- Current research also shows that people with pre-diabetes who began exercising and improved their diets were more successful in preventing diabetes than were those who tried to delay its onset with medication. About 54 million Americans have pre-diabetes. Another 21 million have diabetes already.
- Course participants meet weekly for 16 weeks.
- The first six weeks of the prevention program is held in a classroom, where you will learn about improving your eating habits. Participants learn to be "fat detectives" and keep a daily food diary.
- At the six-week mark, participants will begin working out together twice a week with assistance from trainers through the Y's Activate America program and on their own for an additional 50 minutes per week.
- The Diabetes Prevention Program follows participants monthly for six months following the 16-week sessions.
- The DPP classes and the recommended exercises all take place in the same facility – the YMCA in downtown Billings. Free parking is available.
St. Vincent Healthcare and the Billings YMCA share similar missions in that they both reach out to the Billings community by promoting physical exercise and social interaction with medical supervision, resulting in healthier individuals and a healthier community. The SVH/YMCA partnership in the Activate America initiative sprung from the realization that one size does not fit all. Many people who seek a healthier lifestyle require a continual supportive environment to be successful.
To sign up for the program call The Diabetes Prevention Program at the YMCA, 248-1685 extension 208.