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Annie Schenkel Green Prescription (GRx) Project Coordinator, Sport Bay of Plenty |
The Diabetes Prevention Project (DPP) is coming to an end on June 30th. This pilot project aimed to assist people to prevent developing Type 2 Diabetes and was funded by the Ministry of Health to run for one year.
The Diabetes Prevention Project was provided by Sport Bay of Plenty across the whole region. For people to join a referral was required from their GP or Practice Nurse if a blood test showed Pre-Diabetes. The programme was also offered to some large workplaces to be delivered on their sites.
The programme provided up to six months support, information and guidance on developing healthy lifestyles through suitable physical activities and healthy eating. Preventing Type 2 Diabetes is a life long journey for people with Pre- Diabetes, and the DPP goal was to support people to get started on the right track.
An abundance of local and no or low cost physical activity options available throughout the Bay of Plenty were offered to participants. The healthy eating part of the programme included cooking classes, information on how to make the best food choices within individual budgets and a 1:1 consultation with a Dietitian.
Many participants embraced the programme and have made improvements to their lifestyle that have resulted in improvements to their health. The DPP team have had enormous satisfaction in supporting some clients to improve their health and happiness.
For other clients the time wasn't right for them to fully participate in the programme and the DPP team accept that people have to be ready to make changes in their lives. We hope that if nothing else these clients now know what they are required to do to improve their health.
Although the DPP is ending there will still be support available for people with Pre-Diabetes in the general Green Prescription programme which is offered throughout the region by Sport Bay of Plenty.