Saint Luke’s East to host Stop Diabetes In Its Tracks, a free forum on prediabetes

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. — More than 79 million adults have prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal. Without making changes to improve their health, 15 to 30 percent of adults with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years.

Saint Luke’s East Hospital will host a free two-part forum on Monday, March 31, to help people understand prediabetes and learn the tools needed to make lasting changes to improve their health.

“Research has shown that if people with prediabetes can do just two things to improve their health, such as lose 5 to 7 percent of their body weight or get 150 minutes of exercise a week, they can delay or even prevent the development of diabetes,” said Renato Sandoval, M.D., an endocrinologist with Saint Luke’s Medical Group-Lee’s Summit. “This forum will provide an in-depth look at prediabetes and equip participants with tools to take control of their health and blood sugars.”

Part 1 of the forum is an open house format where participants can come anytime between 5:30 – 7 p.m. to meet in small groups with the diabetes educators and registered dietitians, who will provide guidance on individualized meal plans, blood sugar testing, and exercise plans.

Part 2 is a keynote address at 7 p.m. by Dr. Sandoval, Certified Diabetes Educators Janine Lewis, registered dietitian, and Ruth Mencl, R.N., who will help participants understand how nutrition and exercise can lower blood sugar and prevent diabetes. 

“Diabetes can cause serious health complications, including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and more,” said Dr. Sandoval. “The good news is patients can significantly impact their health by making a few simple lifestyle changes. We encourage anyone who has been diagnosed with prediabetes or who has certain risk factors to attend this forum and learn how they can prevent this devastating disease.”

Risk factors for prediabetes include age (over 45); being overweight or obese; a family history of diabetes; a history of gestational diabetes; being physically active less than three times a week; or having African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander ethnic background.

Stop Diabetes In Its Tracks is free, but RSVPs are required. Call Saint Luke’s Concierge at 816-932-5100 or register online. Light refreshments will be served.