SU's Health and Sport Sciences Department Offer Free National Diabetes Prevention Program

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University’s Health and Sport Sciences Department is offering a free National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) for individuals in Wicomico County who have prediabetes or are at risk for developing the disease.

The year-long healthy eating, physical activity and weight loss program has been proven to prevent type 2 diabetes. SU faculty received a grant from the Maryland Department of Health for the initiative.  

Starting March 12, program meetings will be held on Mondays from 4-5 p.m. at the Scarborough Student Leadership Center (1101 Camden Avenue). Participants will meet for 16 consecutive weeks with eight months of follow-up support sessions.  

During each session, members will learn strategies to improve or enhance their daily physical activity, develop a healthy eating plan, cope with stress, and modify their social and physical environments to support health behavior changes. Personal lifestyle coaches also will work with participants outside of group sessions to assist with overcoming barriers to healthy lifestyle changes. 

“Participants will be introduced to healthy lifestyle changes that will encourage them to try new things and develop healthy habits in an attempt to lower their risk of type 2 diabetes while also improving their overall health,” said Dr. Brent Fedorko, chair of SU’s Health and Sport Sciences Department. “This program also will provide our students with valuable hands-on opportunities to work with individuals to modify negative health habits and maintain positive lifestyle behaviors.”

To register or for more information, call 410-543-6340.