Keyhabits Diabetes Management and Supplies has been instrumental in facilitating the National Diabetes Prevention Program in their Crystal Springs and Vicksburg, Mississippi locations. Classes are held in a fitness center (overlooking a well-equipped workout area) and in a local church.

One participant noted as she enrolled into the program, "I have pre-existing health issues- my doctor readily endorsed my participation in this program because she knew that with diabetes educators facilitating this, I was in good hands!"

Amy Keywood, RD, CDE, and Mickey Stuart, BS, MPH, MS, CDE, have extensive health backgrounds in dietetics, certified diabetes education, health education, and exercise physiology. With a myriad of experiences, their background has a strong impact on the success of the program and ensured confidence in those enrolling into the DPP at Keyhabits.

The organization's first cohort was implemented in Crystal Springs, MS and was comprised of patients largely referred by healthcare providers in the Mississippi area. Cohort participants from this group began to post their success on Facebook, and in turn, the majority of cohort 3 came from those inspired by Facebook posts.

The Vicksburg, MS DPP participants were recruited primarily from healthcare providers. Brochures and pharmaceutical rep tag-a-longs raised awareness of the program in their communities. But, the Vicksburg Lions' Club International generated the biggest push of the DPP program by locating a site to offer their classes. The Vicksburg Lions' Club is an organization focused on preventing blindness, and provide screening programs for glaucoma, glasses to those in need, sight and hearing screenings, and diabetes awareness (including diabetes prevention). The Lions' Club also began driving participants to the program. Keyhabits looks to continue its collaboration with this organization and support the effort of the DPP.

In addition to the Vicksburg Lions' Club, Amy and Mickey are in communications with the Chamber of Commerce, Mississippi State Health Department, pharmaceutical companies, church groups, local race directors, fitness centers, and others.

Much of the program begins with making connections in the community and finding attracted/eligible bodies to enter the program. However, it's finding innovative and creative ways to keep participants committed to the year-long program that can be a challenge.

Amy and Mickey focus on providing participants with unique activities such as taking a closer look at food content. Mickey suggests, "It is helpful to do a little homework before you go to the restaurant rather than be surprised when you're there!" Many of their participants enjoy eating at a local restaurant. Participants started replacing their normal meal there with a salad and began to feel good about eating healthy! But with a closer examination and breakdown using a nutrition calculator, participants were astonished by the high source of fat grams including the restaurants top salad:

1.8 grams from grilled chicken

9.0 grams from Gorgonzola cheese

9.4 grams from Artichokes

4.5 grams from Croutons

12.6 grams from Pecans

37.5 grams from 4 ounces of Sherry vinaigrette dressing

Awestruck by the high content of fat grams in this salad, participants were applauded for taking the steps towards choosing healthier options but also given suggestions such as ordering dressing on the side or asking to leave off the cheese or artichokes to continue to move towards those healthier alternatives.

Other activities include stir fry tastings, providing holiday fitness tips, demonstrations of exercise equipment by an exercise physiologist, and email/text message blasts notifying participants of new health products. These variations of hands-on activities, instrumental teaching and informative techniques have been beneficial, as many participants are reaching their 5-7% weight loss goals.

Both coaches routinely remind their participants they are their support and the opportunity for change happens through their choices!

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