Riverside Medical Center launches new diabetes prevention program

Riverside Medical Center, one of the leading hospitals in Chicago area, unveils its Sweet Solution program this month. This diabetes prevention program will help men, women and children all over the Chicago hospital area prevent diabetes and lead healthier lifestyles.

The Sweet Solution diabetes prevention program is based out of the Riverside south Chicago Illinois hospital network. With 17.9 million people diagnosed with diabetes, 5.7 million people undiagnosed and 57 million people with pre-diabetes, there has never been a more important time to learn about diabetes prevention. The overarching goal of the program is to determine an individual's potential risk for diabetes and then provide patient-specific support and guidance.

This prevention program available in the southern Chicago hospital area is geared towards patients and individuals with a family history of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes factors such as obesity, borderline diabetes and other concerns about developing diabetes.

For a nominal fee, participants will receive a comprehensive pre-diabetes screening, including a hemoglobin A1C screening and body mass index and waist circumference measurements. Participants will also meet with a Diabetes Educator to assist with goals and mark progress and provide exercise and nutrition help. There are also follow-up sessions included in the program to help individuals stay motivated and keep on track to meet their diabetes prevention goals. There is also a Riverside Diabetes Support group that meets once a month at the Bourbonnais Public Library.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in 2006 diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death listed on U.S. death certificates in 2006. In the same year 23.6 million children and adults in the United States were diagnosed with diabetes. This figure represents approximately 7.8% of the population. By joining the Sweet Solution program, individuals across the Chicago area hospital network are being offered the tools to stay diabetes free. The first Sweet Solution diabetes prevention sessions will meet January 11th, 2009 from 10AM to 12PM or January 27th, 2009 from 2PM to 4PM.