Pivio health improvement program included in 2022 Healthy Boiler wellness programming

As part of the University’s initiative to improve overall health and wellness throughout the Purdue community, the Center for Healthy Living on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus – in conjunction with Lifestyle Medicine Institute – is offering a redesigned version of its virtual, plant-based lifestyle intervention program as part of its 2022 Healthy Boiler workshop and wellness programming. The first session of Pivio – The Complete Health Improvement Program (formerly known as CHIP) begins May 17.

The program is designed to help participants make changes to their lifestyles through education, practical experience and reinforcement with a focus on behavior change. Additionally, Pivio helps support and facilitate the prevention, treatment and reversal of chronic disease as well as identify current lifestyle patterns that may lead to current or future health ailments. Hence, individuals pivot toward optimum health and away from chronic illnesses.

Pivio supports all five pillars – physical health, behavioral health, social wellness, financial wellness and work-life integration – of the Healthy Boiler Program.

Focusing on whole-person health, Pivio is based on the combination of four fundamental components: lifestyle, exercise, attitude and nutrition. Led by Whitney Soto, registered nurse health coach at CHL, and Megan Shidler, registered dietitian at CHL, the program puts emphasis on how individuals live, move, think and eat in regard to creating and maintaining a healthier way of life. This class is facilitated virtually in a group environment with dynamic group discussions and peer support. Pivio integrates optimal nutrition, exercise and behavioral psychology principles and tools. Plant-based eating is at the core of the program’s nutrition education.

The 10-week program will meet twice weekly via Zoom from 3 to 4 p.m. May 17 through July 21.

“Participants will get a pre- and post-health risk assessment (A1c, lipid panel, InBody assessment), a comprehensive toolkit, help with cooking, food prep, exercise, online program content and much more,” Shidler says. “Pivio can help you by significantly reducing the common risk factors for lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. Additionally, Pivio can improve your health knowledge, energy, desire to exercise, resilience and life fulfilment.” 

Interested individuals should register by April 13 via the Healthy Boiler Portal. The registration link can be found under the “Healthy Boiler Workshops” section on the portal’s homepage. Hover over the “Pivio Health” square and hit “Submit” to register.

Healthy Boiler workshops and lifestyle programs are free to all benefits-eligible faculty and staff and dependents covered on a Purdue health plan.

“Studies continue to show that healthier workers are overall more productive and happy,” says Candace Shaffer, senior director of benefits in Human Resources. “Pivio is yet another way for employees to engage in living a healthier lifestyle. The diversity of our employees requires a variety of program options so that everyone has the chance to find something that is right for them. We hope the program continues to be well received in 2022 by members of our Purdue community.” 

More details about Pivio can be found online via the Lifestyle Medicine Institute’s website at https://piviohealth.com. Questions about the program can be directed to CHL at 765-494-0111.