Coming to Dexter: Diabetes Prevention Program

The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM) presents the My Choice . . . My Health: Diabetes Prevention Program in Dexter. My Choice. . . My Health is a 16-week course, which helps those at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, causing more than 40 percent of all kidney failure cases. However, type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed. Research shows that losing a moderate amount of weight and being physically active can help delay type 2 diabetes among those who are at risk.

“Diabetes is one of the most serious health challenges in America today,” said Dr. Art Franke, Senior VP and Chief Science Officer at the NKFM. “My Choice. . . My Health is a powerful answer because it provides participants with the tools to take greater control over their health and work toward staying diabetes-free.”

My Choice. . . My Health’s results show that by modifying diet and exercise, participants can lose a small amount of weight—5-7 percent of starting body weight—and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent. Weekly meetings are one-hour long and take place in a group setting where a trained lifestyle coach helps participants learn about behavior changes, including eating properly and increasing physical activity. After the 16 sessions, participants will also meet for 6 monthly meetings for additional support.

An hour-long information session will be held on Wednesday, June 24 where prospective participants can learn more about My Choice. . . My Health. Sessions for My Choice. . . My Health will begin on Wednesday, July 8. Both the information session and the regular sessions will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Dexter United Methodist Church located at 7643 Huron River Drive in Dexter.

This session of My Choice. . . My Health is offered at no cost to qualified participants. To qualify, participants must be overweight and at a high risk for developing diabetes, or overweight and diagnosed with prediabetes. For those interested in participating, a doctor can tell if you’re at risk for diabetes, or you can find out if you’re at risk with a screening assessment. Participants are encouraged to register by visiting www.nkfm.org/dpp or contacting the NKFM at 800-482-1455.

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The mission of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan is to prevent kidney disease and improve the quality of life for those living with it. Since its inception, the NKFM has led the fight against kidney disease and is widely known for providing more programs and services to more people than any other region or state. The NKFM was recently ranked #1 in the category of Diseases, Disciplines, and Disorders by Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities. The organization has also been recognized for its success in sound fiscal management by receiving a 4-star rating, seven years in a row from Charity Navigator. In 2014, the NKFM was named in the “11 Top-Rated Charities that Changed the World in 2014” by the Huffington Post.