Change your life – improve your type 2 diabetes

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Saint Peter’s University Hospital Launches Lifestyle Coaching that Aims to Prevent or Delay Type 2 Diabetes

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Type 2 diabetes is on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that over a third of Americans are already pre-diabetic and 90 percent of them don’t even know it. 30 million already have diabetes. Of that total, as many as seven million are unaware. More than eight percent of New Jersey’s population is diagnosed, as many as 700,000. Diabetes is number seven in the top 10 causes of death in the Garden State.

Diabetes interferes with the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. Too low, it can be deadly. Too high, it does tissue and organ damage. It puts significant stress on daily living, it doubles medical costs, complicates other health issues and can lead to many more problems, including heart disease, kidney failure, stroke, blindness, amputation – even erectile dysfunction.

Saint Peter’s University Hospital is taking action, launching Prevent T2, a fun and practical lifestyle coaching program that will empower those most at risk to head off type 2 diabetes before it starts.

“We have to do something about it, because it is completely preventable,” said Meena S. Murthy, MD, FACE, Chief, Division of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Metabolism at Saint Peter’s University Hospital.

An introductory class will be held Tuesday, July 9, 6 p.m., at the Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center of Saint Peter’s University Hospital, 254 Easton Avenue in New Brunswick. Space is limited and registration is required. Call 732-339-7772 to register or for more information.

Prevent T2 is free and open to men and women 18 years or older diagnosed with prediabetes or women over 18 with a history of gestational diabetes. Prediabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as diabetes.

Each one-hour session will include a weigh-in and an educational activity. The training is designed to be interactive, dynamic and fun – an effective combination of education and social networking. The year-long program begins July 17. Sessions will be held at Saint Peter’s University Hospital’s Family Health Center, 123 How Lane in New Brunswick. Weekly and bi-weekly meetings will be held for the first six months, followed by monthly meetings during the second half of the year.

Dr. Murthy says excess weight is what causes type 2 in most adults. Weight is driving up the numbers, putting more at risk. “Underlying fat storage is the problem. It’s a global emergency. In the United States, obesity was at less than 10 percent in 1980. Now it is over 35 percent,” she said.

Losing weight is the single most effective thing you can do to reduce your risk. Prevent T2 covers a full spectrum of tools needed for healthier lifestyles. “Our program is led by registered dietitians specially trained in lifestyle coaching. They will cover healthy nutrition, the importance of increased exercise activity, stress management, weight loss and weight management,” Dr. Murthy said.

Once diabetes starts, it can be difficult to control. “Most complications can be prevented by maintaining healthy weight and with early intervention. As with most health issues, prevention is the best medicine. That’s the mission of Prevent T2,” Dr. Murthy said.

About Saint Peter’s University Hospital
Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a member of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, is a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. Saint Peter’s is a state-designated children’s hospital and a regional perinatal center, and is a regional specialist in diabetes, gastroenterology with a specialized Heartburn and Reflux Center, oncology, orthopedics, and women’s services. The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital provides families with access to a full range of pediatric specialties, including a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, pediatric surgery and orthopedic surgery featuring innovative anterior scoliosis correction surgery. The hospital offers a midwifery service and has plans to open a brand-new state-of-the-art Birth Center in Fall 2019. Saint Peter’s is a sponsor of residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and internal medicine, and is a major clinical affiliate with Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. Visit www.saintpetershcs.com or call 732-745-8600.

About Saint Peter’s Healthcare System
Saint Peter’s Healthcare System Inc., parent company of the Saint Peter’s healthcare delivery system, is comprised of Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital and state-designated children’s hospital and regional perinatal center; Saint Peter’s Foundation, the fundraising arm of the hospital; Saint Peter’s Health and Management Services Corp., which oversees outpatient facilities, including the CARES Surgicenter; and Saint Peter’s Physician Associates, a network of primary and specialty care physician practices. Saint Peter’s Healthcare System is sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen and is a major clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical Health and Sciences. For more information about Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, please visit www.saintpetershcs.com or call 732-745-8600.