Diabetes prevention program offered in Fairbanks

March 20, 2019

A yearlong program designed to help individuals lose weight and lower their risk for developing Type 2 diabetes will be offered in Fairbanks, beginning April 1.

Leslie Shallcross, an agent with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, will lead the National Diabetes Prevention Program. The class will focus on making gradual changes in exercise, diet and stress management that have been shown to delay or prevent the onset of diabetes.

Classes will meet weekly on Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. and will continue until March 2020.

Shallcross is a registered dietitian and received training at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide the program. Individuals at risk for Type 2 diabetes include those who are overweight, have a diagnosis of prediabetes or have had gestational diabetes. According to the CDC, one out of three American adults is prediabetic — and one in 10 has diabetes. The American Diabetes Association provides an online prediabetes risk test at http://bit.ly/2CpS7hy.

The class fee is $240, and seniors ages 60 or older get a $40 discount. Participants who complete the program will receive an $80 refund. Contact Shallcross at 907-474-2426 or lashallcross@alaska.edu by March 29 to discuss whether this is the right program for you and to register. The class will meet in Room 108 of the University Park Building at 1000 University Ave.