Barnstable Brown Diabetes and Obesity Center to Offer Fall Weight Management Program

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 23, 2012) − Individuals who think 'diet' is a four-letter word and are tired of short term success with weight loss, are invited to sign up for the fall session of the Weight Management Program at the Barnstable Brown Diabetes and Obesity Center at the University of Kentucky. The medically supervised program teaches participants how to live healthier and with realistic goals and expectations.

The fall session of the Barnstable Brown Weight Management Program will begin on Sept. 11 and runs for 12 weeks. Participants do not have to be a current UK patient, have a physician referral, or be diabetic to take part in the program, although diabetic patients will be monitored to ensure good glucose control.

Sheri Setser-Legg, diabetes educator at the Barnstable Brown Diabetes and Obesity Center, said that the program is based on the National Diabetes Prevention Program and the National Weight Control Registry.

"We focus on behavior modification, replacing old unhealthy habits with new, healthy ones," Legg said. "We also teach realistic expectations and want participants to leave with habits that will last a lifetime."

Research shows that individuals who lose weight slowly at a rate of one to two pounds per week are more likely to keep that weight off long-term, she said.

Participants can expect classes to be interactive with topics that will support their effort to be  healthier, such as: developing healthy meal plans, changing cooking habits, emotional eating and managing stress, portion control, understanding food labels and the difference between good fats and bad fats, how to eat out in restaurants the healthy way and how to get motivated and stay motivated to exercise, and more.

"This can be an exciting new journey for someone interested in developing a healthier lifestyle," Legg said. "Our hope is that we can provide participants with the right tools to achieve their goals and maintain them for a lifetime."

Kentucky has one of the highest incidences for Type 2 diabetes and obesity as well as a sedentary lifestyle.  Weight loss is key to controlling Type 2 diabetes as well as many common chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. 

Classes will be held 5 p.m. every Tuesday for the 12-week session in the Medicine Clinic conference room on the second floor of the Kentucky Clinic. To register, call the Barnstable Brown Kentucky Diabetes and Obesity Center at (859) 323-2232.

Media Contact: Ann Blackford at (859)323-6442 or ann.blackford@uky.edu