Zoom’s 12 month diabetes prevention program begins in March.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed the program offered by the University of Alaska’s Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service. It is aimed at people who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. One in three Americans has prediabetes, and obesity is a major risk factor, according to the CDC.
Fairbanks Extension agent Leslie Shallcross said attendees would be encouraged to lose 10 percent of their current weight to reduce the risk. She describes the program as a lifestyle change program where participants receive ideas and support from other participants and train extension lifestyle coaches. Participants meet weekly for approximately 16 weeks and then at least once a month.
Cooperative Extension employees in Sitka, Fairbanks and Mat-Su offer the course remotely. However, attendees will be asked to sign up for the session closest to where they live. One-hour sessions meet:
• Tuesdays from 6pm from March 2nd in Sitka
• Thursdays starting March 4th at 6pm in Fairbanks
• Tuesday noon, from March 17th in Mat-Su
Registration is possible at bit.ly/diabetesprev. Prior to registration, prospective attendees must contact the instructors to determine eligibility and discuss the program.
Instructors are Jasmine Shaw in Sitka, 907-747-9440 or jdshaw2@alaska.edu; Melissa Clampitt in Mat-Su at 907-745-3551 or mrclampitt@alaska.edu; and Leslie Shallcross in Fairbanks at 907-474-2426 or lashallcross@alaska.edu. The $ 100 course fee includes a digital scale and program materials that will be sent to participants. Seniors aged 60 and over and others applying for a scholarship receive discounts. Disability-related accommodation requests should be directed to Leslie Shallcross seven business days in advance.
