Press Release

Burgess Diabetes Education Offers Pre-diabetes Class

The diabetes education staff of Burgess Health Center will offer a pre-diabetes class Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. at the Mapleton Public Library.

The class will help individuals diagnosed with a higher-than-normal blood sugar level that could develop into diabetes and lead to heart disease and stroke.

“This class will help anyone with risk factors for pre-diabetes including high blood pressure, high triglycerides or LDL levels, being overweight and family history,” says Sue McLaughlin.

“ Often there are no symptoms of pre-diabetes. Persons can have pre-diabetes or diabetes and not know it. Unfortunately both type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes are growing in the Midwest and across the nation.”

The class will feature information on how to eat more healthfully, manage blood sugar levels and increase activity. It will be taught by Burgess certified diabetes educators McLaughlin, a registered nurse, and Michele Kirkendall, a registered dietitian.

Studies show persons with pre-diabetes who become more physically active, lose weight and eat a healthy diet can prevent or slow the diagnosis of diabetes, McLaughlin says.

There is a $15 class fee. Persons must pre-register by calling the Burgess diabetes office at 712-423-9268.