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TV Health Reports: Air Date: April 21, 2002
REACH for health
Sixteen million Americans have type 2 diabetes. That figure is expected
to double in 25 years – mostly because of poor diet and exercise habits.
And currently one out of every seven health care dollars is spent on the
disease. But there is a University of Iowa Health Care program that is working
to reverse those trends:
Dave Long has a family history of diabetes, so he took his doctor’s
advice and did something about it. Dave joined the REACH program at University
of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. REACH (Reaching Euglycemia and Comprehensive
Health) is an eight-week program designed to help people reach normal
blood sugar levels. It focuses on changing lifestyles for people with,
or at risk for, type-2 diabetes:
"Lifestyle changes – what we eat and how we exercise –
play a large role in the development of type 2 diabetes," said Rhonda
Barr, REACH program coordinator.
REACH participants meet twice a week for eight weeks. The first hour
focuses on education. It’s a chance to learn more about diabetes
and how to successfully change behaviors that cause it. The second hour
involves an individualized exercise program for each participant. The
program has produced dramatic changes in Dave’s life.
"I’ve reduced my weight by 25 pounds." said Dave. "My
blood pressure went down considerably. My glucose level dropped to a workable
situation."
"You can slow the rate, and perhaps prevent the development of type
2 diabetes, by the kinds of things that Rhonda has put into this program,
related to diet and an exercise component,"said Robert Bar, .D.,
UI Health Care diabetes expert.
Health care experts hope similar programs across the country will help
slow the spread of type 2 diabetes
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For more information:
REACH (Reaching Euglycemia and Comprehensive
Health)
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