Chester County Hospital is set to continue in its tradition of supportive community involvement with a series of new course offerings and free screenings. These classes, starting as early as December, focus on the prevention of diabetes, which afflicts nearly 30 million Americans.
Dealing with Prediabetes
Diabetes has no cure, but it can be prevented. Preceding diabetes is a condition called “prediabetes.” More than 80 million people have prediabetes, which increases their risk for type 2 diabetes, and many of them are totally unaware.
With prediabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal due to either a lack of insulin or resistance to it from cells. Insulin is needed to carry sugar (glucose) from the blood to the body’s cells to generate energy. With prediabetes, this process is impeded and the risk for type 2 diabetes increases greatly.
“The good news is that prediabetes can be treated and the progression to type 2 diabetes arrested,” shares Julie Funk, Director of Community Health and Wellness Services at Chester County Hospital. “This was proven in the Diabetes Prevention Program, a large research study that showed that type 2 diabetes was prevented in 58% of individuals who were able to follow a program of modest lifestyle changes.”
The modest lifestyle changes are very attainable: a 5–7% weight loss coupled with 30 minutes of exercise per day.
“Small, sustainable lifestyle changes can make all the difference,” Funk explains.
Proactive First Steps
Chester County Hospital recommends that each person see his or her doctor at least once a year for bloodwork, which could potentially uncover a condition of prediabetes.
The hospital also suggests taking the quick and convenient Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test online at the American Diabetes Association website.
Additionally, the hospital will be offering Heart Tracks, a free cardiovascular screening on Saturday, February 18, 2017, which will also screen for glucose, weight and prediabetes. Co-facilitated by the Chester County Health Department, the program will allow participants to learn more about their 10-year risk for heart disease as well as their cholesterol and BMI while also providing free individual counseling and personalized action plans.
The Heart Tracks Screenings run from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at Chester County Hospital’s Wellness Classroom. Call to register for an appointment time at (610) 738-2300.
Tackle Weight & Lifestyle in Upcoming Programs
Once prediabetes has been discovered, there are simple treatments and measures that can halt its progression toward type 2 diabetes. Chester County Hospital offers three distinct programs starting in January 2017 that address the condition of prediabetes and help to build healthier lifestyles: Reversing Pre-Diabetes, Weight Matters, and Struggles and Solutions.
Reversing Pre-Diabetes
Reversing Pre-Diabetes is a 1½-hour session covering proactive lifestyle changes to reduce the risk for developing diabetes. The West Chester sessions will be held on Tuesday, January 17, and Wednesday, March 29, from 6–7:30 p.m. at Chester County Hospital’s Wellness Classroom. The West Grove sessions will be held on Thursday, February 16, and Tuesday, April 11 from 6–7:30 p.m. at Jenner’s Village Professional Building in West Grove. The fee for each of these sessions is $25. Call (610) 738-2300 to register.
Weight Matters
Weight Matters, an eight-week class taught by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Wellness Coach, focuses on food and behavior choices known to promote healthy weight loss. To decide if this class is right for you, attend the free, preceding Weight Matters Information Session, where you can learn what to expect from the eight-week program and collect free, helpful materials on weight loss.
The Weight Matters Information session will be held on Monday, January 30; the Weight Matters eight-week class begins Monday, February 6, and runs through March 27. These Monday night courses will be held from 6:30–7:30 p.m. at Chester County Hospital’s Wellness Classroom. The Weight Matters eight-week session is $100, reimbursable through many insurance plans. Call (610) 738-2300 to register.
Struggles and Solutions
Finally, Struggles and Solutions is Chester County Hospital’s free group lifestyle coaching program. Every month a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist leads a discussion on an interesting, timely and immediately useful topic about food, eating, activity and wellness. The program provides ideas and encouragement for anyone on a journey to lose weight or begin to live a healthier lifestyle. This group meets every second Monday from 5–6 p.m. at Chester County Hospital’s Wellness Classroom. Call (610) 738-2300 to register.
Your Healthy Future
Diabetes is preventable and prediabetes is treatable. With the help of Chester County Hospital, you can find out where you stand and be on the path toward a new and healthier you in 2017.
This message brought to you by Chester County Hospital. Part of Penn Medicine, Chester County Hospital has been dedicated to the health and well-being of the people in Chester County and surrounding areas for nearly 125 years.
- Photos, top to bottom: Chester County Hospital, Enhlin, Negative Space, Kaboompics
