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Anthony Cloud

Staff Writer

Team Up 4 Health has been hard at work in previous months with the MicroClinic, Obesity and Metabolic Risk Prevention Program with MicroClinic International. The preliminary results from the program have came in.

The study will help researchers evaluate the effects of the community health program on improving clinical outcomes for weight and metabolic control among people with Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 25 or higher. According to the preliminary results, the program has shown signs of working.

Program participants have lost an average of 7.8 pounds compared to 1.7 pounds lost among people in the control group, which do not attend the Team Up 4 Health classes. Participants who were obese averaged 9.1 pounds lost compared to 2 pounds by those who do not attend the classes.

“(The program) is not a weight loss program,” said program manager Leigh Ann Baker. “It’s a way for people to make healthy lifestyle changes. Weight loss is just a bonus.”

According to the preliminary results, (combined with results from other studies) these findings suggest that if program participants maintain their weight a person could reduce their risk for diabetes by 57 percent and their risk by 66 percent if they are obese.

According to the results, participants with diabetes decreased their Hemoglobin A1c by an average of .5.

Combined with results from other studies, this could translate to a relative risk reduction of 10.5 percent for diabetic outcomes, 7 percent for myocardial outcomes and 18.5 percent for microvascular complications, according to the results.

Program participants also reduced their systolic blood pressure by 4.7 mmHg. Participants showed better cholesterol as a result of the program as well.

Individuals can still sign up to join the program in Middlesboro. Friday is the deadline to register for the program.

To qualify for the program, individuals must have a BMI of 25 and diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or a BMI of 30 or more.

Those who register will be randomly divided into a control group or a program participant. Those in the control group only come and get blood work done. They will receive a $20 gift card for their time.

Program participants will get to come to the classes, which last an hour. In the classes, they will learn how to read food labels, participate in grocery store tours and receive nutrition education from registered dietitians. They will also take part in exercise classes.

Those interested can choose one of the designated times that better fits their schedule. Those times are 5 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday and 2 p.m. on Friday.

For the first month, participants only come to one class a week. Following the first month, classes are held twice a week.

For more information about the program, please call 337-9076.

Anthony Cloud is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted via email at acloud@heartlandpublications.com.