Annie Schenkel Connectivity Project Leader Sport BOP

The well-known and successful Green Prescription programme run by Sport Bay of Plenty is being enhanced to offer a more targeted approach to preventing type 2 pre-diabetes in the Bay of Plenty.

The new GRx Connectivity programme complements the current Green Prescription, which helps more than 2500 people each year.

The connectivity programme targets those in the community who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and provides a prevention programme specifically targeting 18-45 year olds.

Sport Bay of Plenty is pleased to introduce Rebecca Boyce, the advisor who'll be working on this new initiative in your area.

Rebecca is looking forward to supporting people to make life-changing improvements through the innovative and informative nutrition education and dynamic physical activity opportunities.

Green Prescription Connectivity has the objectives to inform, educate, support and empower people to lead a healthy life and minimise their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

This free programme will work closely with general practitioners in the region and with people who are identified as having ‘pre-diabetes'.

This project has been funded through the Ministry of Health, which is concerned about the growing incidence of pre-diabetes in New Zealand.

This condition can be reversed through lifestyle changes. Sport Bay of Plenty Green Prescription advisors will work with clients for up to six months, assisting them to set goals and encouraging them to be more active and choose healthy eating options.

They will have regular one-on-one meetings with an advisor in local venues, or home visits if required.

Programme participants will be linked to appropriate physical activity options matched to their interests and fitness levels.

They will also learn to make healthier food choices, through nutritional workshops and practical sessions on healthy cooking, to have hands-on experience how to make healthy options.

In addition, they can be referred to the programme dietician and receive more in-depth sessions to modify their eating habits.

How do you know if you may be pre-diabetic? The risk factors can include being overweight, having a family history of diabetes, being inactive, or eat a diet high in fat and sugar.

If you can answer yes to one or more of these factors you can discuss this with your local GP.

They can do a simple blood test and the result will indicate if you're at risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

Your GP can then arrange a place on this free programme and you can get the assistance you need.

This could be the start of your journey towards better health outcomes and taking control of your life.

To find out more about Green Prescription Connectivity, contact Rebecca on 027 426 1120 or email: rebeccab@sportbop.co.nz