Glendive Medical Center and Billing Clinic collaborate to offer program aimed at prevention and treatment of diabetes

Program uses telehealth technology made available through Billings Clinic Center for Clinical Translational Research grant

Glendive, Montana, April 30, 2015 - Glendive Medical Center (GMC) and Billings Clinic will use telehealth technology to once again offer the LifeStyle Balance Telehealth Program to members of the community. The LifeStyle Balance Telehealth Program is a comprehensive program for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. This program sets challenging, reasonable, safe and effective goals for weight loss.

Those that had health fair labs done in March with results showing a fasting blood glucose of 100 mg/dl or higher indicates prediabetes. Now is an opportune time to make lifestyle changes aiming to reduce risks and prevent or delay progression to developing diabetes. Research shows that without making healthy lifestyle changes, those with prediabetes are likely to progress to having diabetes within 5 to 7 years. Research has also demonstrated that people who are at risk for diabetes can reduce their risk by up to 58% if they become more active and lose at least 7% of their body weight.

Obesity and diabetes are chronic diseases that are increasing in prevalence in both children and adults in the United States. We are growing as a nation. Nationally, 34% of our population is overweight, a status defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 29.9%. More concerning is that each state reports up to 33% for the segment of the adult population that meets the criteria for obesity, a category defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Currently 64% of Montana's population is overweight or obese. Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and other chronic conditions.

This program is open to all adults who are overweight or obese and costs $50 per person for materials. It is a 12 week comprehensive program with six follow-up maintenance meetings to support continued weight loss success for each participant. The LifeStyle Balance Program is individualized to meet the specific needs of each person. Sessions will address lifestyle changes by providing individual and group counseling about nutrition, healthy decision making and exercise.

The LifeStyle Balance sessions will be led by a specially trained team consisting of a dietitian, a physical therapist, a social worker and a life style coach. They will provide the knowledge and framework for participants to build healthy habits into their daily life and carry those behaviors forward for a lifetime.

This program will be offered Mondays Noon -1 p.m. and Wednesdays 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. in June. To register or for questions, please contact Penny Maher, RN at 406-345-5309.