Ismail Center launching new program to improve community’s health

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — With nearly one-third of the American population prediabetic, and with heart disease as the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S., now is a good time to take control of your health.

The A.H Ismail Center, located in Room 1130 of Purdue University’s Lyles-Porter Hall, will host a new program to help community members improve their health.

“Prediabetes and Exercise” will be a yearlong program using resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support and encourage exercise and a healthy lifestyle. The course will look at eating, ways of becoming active, stress, healthy shopping and eating out. Participants will also receive an individualized exercise program. The program will begin Feb. 17 and cost $550. 

“Chronic diseases are preventable. This can help decrease one’s health care expenses, said Lane Yahiro, director of Purdue’s Ismail Center and a clinical associate professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology. “It is estimated that it can cost more than $16,000 a year to treat diabetes.”

It is recommended that people get about 150 minutes of physical activity a week. “There are numerous benefits from exercise, such as walking,” Yahiro said. “As you increase your activity, you begin to see those benefits, such as an increase in cardiorespiratory fitness, effects on blood pressure, weight and more.”

For more information or to register, call the center at 765-496-1015.

Writer: Matthew Oates, 765-496-2571, oatesw@purdue.edu, @mo_oates

Source: Lane Yahiro, 765-496-1015, lyahiro@purdue.edu