The University of Arkansas Little Rock Employee Wellness Program will kick-start its Diabetes Prevention program this spring for university employees who are at high risk of developing diabetes.

“Diabetes is a very serious and dangerous disease that can cause heart attacks, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, or loss of feet or legs,” said Karl Lenser, coordinator of the Employee Wellness Program. “Research shows that individuals who are considered prediabetic can delay or even prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes through lifestyle modifications, which will be highlighted in this class.”

Program courses begin Friday, Feb. 2 at noon in the Donaghey Student Center Leadership Lounge. Debie Head, certified diabetes educator, nutrition expert, registered dietician, and lifestyle coach from the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Office, will lead the sessions.

Throughout the course of the program, UA Little Rock employees can look forward to developing healthy lifestyle habits that result in losing weight, eating healthier, and increasing physical activity.

“Participants who join the diabetes prevention program will take a major step in reducing their risk for diabetes, hypertension and heart disease,” Lenser said. “Class participants will also receive support and encouragement that are powerful agents when making a lifestyle change.”

To qualify for the course, individuals must be over the age of 18, have a body mass index of at least 24, (if Asian, 22) and a fasting glucose reading of 100 to 125 milligrams per deciliter, an A1C reading of 5.7 to 6.4, a plasma glucose reading between 140 and 199, or a past history of gestational diabetes.

If the aforementioned requirements are not met, interested participants must score a nine or higher on the Center for Disease Control criteria checklist that can be found in the Employee Wellness Office.

For more information, contact Lenser at kjlenser@ualr.edu or register here.