NH Community Hospital to Hold Prediabetes Classes

North Hawai’i Community Hospital. NHCH file courtesy image.

North Hawaii Community Hospital is offering free prediabetes classes in an effort to curb the number of people who will develop diabetes and to promote healthy living,

The classes will meet Oct. 12, 19 and 26 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Annex Building at North Hawaii Community Hospital.

There is no charge for these classes and pre-registration is required.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 86 million American adults—one out of every three—has prediabetes, with only 11% of individuals aware they have the condition. Without intervention, many people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years.

Prediabetes is defined as having a blood sugar level that higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. People are more likely to have prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if they are over 45 years old, overweight, have a family history of type 2 diabetes, physically active fewer than three times per week,and/or have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes during a pregnancy or gave birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds.

Additional signs and symptoms of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes include excessive thirst and hunger, change in weight, frequent urination and high blood glucose.

Classes will consist of three 1.5-hour group sessions presented by a certified diabetes nurse educator from the hospital’s Diabetes Wellness Center.

Topics covered will include nutritional education, carbohydrate vs. protein, the importance of exercise for good health, and awareness of complications caused by uncontrolled diabetes.

North Hawaii Community Hospital is located at 67-1125 Mamalahoa Highway in Kamuela.

Call 881-4832 to register or for more information.