NILES — The St. Joseph Health System in Mishawaka is partnering with the Greater Niles Senior Center to offer a free year-long diabetes prevention class to people who are at risk for the disease.

The program, called Health in Action, will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays starting Oct. 10, at the senior center’s second building, the former Chemical Bank, 1835 S. 11th St. People are welcome to bring their lunch.

Those who sign up will have the chance to learn about leading a healthier lifestyle with the guidance of nurses, nutritionists, athletic directors and other experts. The curriculum is written by the Center for Disease Control. The cost is covered by a grant for the next year.

The program seeks to be more than a place where people can get information. Those who participate will also put into practice the skills that they are being taught. Some sessions will meet at the park for a walk. Other sessions will include taking a field trip to the grocery store to talk about buying healthy foods.

Elizabeth Trevino, an advancing diabetes awareness and prevention coordinator, will help to coach those who attend the class. Trevino said the program offers more than one benefit.

“It not only reduces their risk of diabetes, it reduces their risk of heart diseases and kidney failure, it really is a healthy lifestyle change,” Trevino said. 

Trevino said the program seeks to tackle two major goals: help participants lose weight and get in the habit of completing 150 minutes of physical activity a week. Progress is tracked by individuals through food and exercise logs.

Trevino said program officials saw an opportunity to bring the classes to the Greater Niles Senior Center to offer residents that face a risk of diabetes the education needed to get on a healthier path.   

St. Joseph Health System will soon be entering its second year in leading the program. So far, about 66 people have participated. Trevino said officials have seen results since its inception.

“We have people [who have gone through the class] that were pre-diabetic who no longer have that diagnosis and people who are no longer near being pre-diabetic,” Trevino said. 

Qualifying individuals who are encouraged to sign up include those with a body mass index of over 25 or have a A1C level (a test for diabetes) of 5.7 percent to 6.4 percent. This class is not for people who already have diabetes.

Those interested in signing up can do so by contacting the Greater Niles Senior Center at (269) 683-9380. There are 20 spots available, though Trevino said the center will consider offering a second class if the demand is there.