This year BCHC and BHS have began running the Life! program in Ballarat, which is a lifestyle modification program aimed at preventing diabetes in people 50 and over. The Life! program is funded by Diabetes Victoria to target the estimated 500,000 Victorians who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Research has shown that lifestyle modification programs such as Life! can delay the onset or prevent Type 2 diabetes if you are able to reach at least 4 out of the 5 program goals which are:

• No more than 30% of energy from fat
• No more than 10% of energy from saturated fat
• At least 15g /1000 kcal fibre
• At least 30 min / day moderate physical activity
• At least 5 % weight reduction

Many people are aware that improved diet and exercise decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes, but as we know doing more exercise and improving you diet is easier said than done. Life! provides simple and attainable strategies to decrease your risk of diabetes, set in a friendly group environment.

The course is run over 6 sessions, with the first 5 held fortnightly and the final session 8 months from the first session as a follow up. Although Life! is targeted at people 50 and over who score as high risk for diabetes, people aged between 40-49 or Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders of all ages are also eligible for Life!

For people interested in joining a Life! group the first step is to complete the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Test, with scores of 15 and over indicating you are at high risk of developing diabetes and therefore eligible for the course. From there a Life! referral form to be completed by your GP is required to commence a suitable Life! course.

More: diabetes prevention resources, including referral forms for Life

Tags: cdm diabetes