The Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) at Rapid City Clinic, Flormann Street, has been certified by the Center for Disease Control with Full or Full Plus Recognition since 2019. On April 1, their certification was renewed again for the next two years.
An astounding 100% of those who completed the program achieved at least one of the following:
- 5% weight loss
- 4% weight loss and have at least 8 sessions associated with an average of 150 minutes/week of physical activity, or
- 4% weight loss and at least 17 sessions attended
- a 0.2% reduction in baseline average blood sugar levels over a period of two to three months (HbA1c, or glycated hemoglobin)
This is a massive success, especially when compared to the national average of 55%. On top of that, MDPP is the only such program recognized by the CDC in the state of South Dakota
“It takes a lot of work to get a diabetes prevention program certified and additional efforts to attain Full and Full Plus recognition,” says Donna Riley, Clinical Dietitian and MDPP lifestyle coach. “We are proud to offer this program and are so appreciative of the participants who have worked hard to make lifestyle changes. Our support of our participants and their hard work have resulted in positive health outcomes that have helped our program achieve Full Plus certification.”
MDPP focuses on lifestyle changes to help lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes. It consists of 26 one-hour group sessions offered over the course of one year. The focus is on increasing physical activity, fostering healthy eating habits and making lifestyle changes that promote a 5-10% weight loss.
“Fifty percent of individuals that are on Medicare have prediabetes. Many of them may not even know it. So that’s the bad news,” says Donna. “The good news is that studies show that 71% of people over the age of 60 can prevent — or at the very least delay — Type 2 diabetes with physical activity, improved nutrition and a 5-10% weight loss.”
Monument Health has offered the Diabetes Prevention Program since 2014. It is a nationwide program that uses a curriculum developed by the CDC. According to Donna, twenty groups have gone through Monument Health’s MDPP. A few of the topics covered are healthy eating, becoming more active, managing stress, eating healthy away from home or while traveling, the importance of sleep, how to manage stress and how to deal with setbacks or lapses.
Participants don’t need a referral for MDPP. However, there are some requirements to join. One is that they have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more, unless they are of Asian descent, in which case, a BMI of 23 is required. Secondly, they must have abnormal glucose levels that show prediabetes. MDPP is 100% covered by Medicare Part B.
“Five to ten percent weight loss for most people is usually about 10-20 pounds; we’re not talking about 40 and 50 pounds,” says Donna. “It’s not as much as people may think they need to lose.”
One blustery day last January, the class topic was taking movement breaks: every 30 minutes, get up and move. Participants praised the element of accountability and the mutual support they get from the classroom setting. For example, there is a private weigh-in every session with the coach, and program participants may opt to share their challenges and success at each session. Most of the members choose to participate so they can compare results and cheer each other on. Some participants also attributed to the class an improved sense of mental well-being in addition to becoming physically healthier.
“When you have kids and grandkids, the thought comes, ‘Well, do I want to be here for them?’ That’s one of the first things we discuss: what is your ‘why,’” says Susan Roberts, a class participant. “I thought the first thing we’d study is the foods you can’t eat. We didn’t even touch on food hardly at all until a month or so into it. It’s a unique approach that makes it feel like you can do it.”
Interested patients can call Monument Health Diabetes Education at 605-755-3495 for the start date of the next program.
Stay tuned for an open house at MDPP’s new location inside Monument Health Endocrinology and Diabetes Education at 855 Omaha Street, on the corner of Rushmore Boulevard and Omaha Street, next to Natural Grocers.
For more information: monument.health/service/diabetes-management
Story by Kory Lanphear