At UC Davis, we strive to promote and support a culture of health and well-being throughout our community. These Aggies lowered their risk of Type 2 diabetes and you can too.

The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), run by registered dietician, Linda Adams, is offered to staff and faculty who are at risk for Type 2 diabetes. The DPP is made possible by the Staff and Faculty Health and Well-Being Program, with some funding through the UC Office of the President. 

Over the course of 22 weeks, DPP participants learn how to develop healthy habits and how to integrate them into their daily lives. Among the 27 lessons, are discussion sessions on “Becoming a Calorie Detective,” and “Changing Cues” that allow participants to recognize their habits and make slow and gradual changes towards their health goals. 

“DPP participants each have personal reasons for joining and completing the program,” remarked Adams. “However, most everyone agrees that participating in the DPP is a start towards a longer, happier, and healthier life.”

Bhupesh Sovani | IT Project Manager | FOA

“Type two diabetes is hereditary within my family, my father had it. Due to this, I was at risk for developing type two diabetes. I found out about the program and realized how convenient it was because it was held where I worked.”

• Read about how Bhupesh worked DPP solutions into his situation.

• “Linda used to get food items for us to sample and taste. For example, she would get popcorn and then explain all the benefits and consequences of consuming that food. This was very helpful to visualize. I was surprised to learn that I liked certain foods that I would not have tried on my own.”
  
  As well as this the program's emphasis on developing changes that fit into each participant's situation and lifestyle was an idea that Sovani attributed as one of his favorite memories of participating in DPP.

  “I learned a lot about perspectives. Everyone who participated had different reasons for joining. It really helped to be able to talk things through with all the participants and hear different solutions and input to your questions/problems.”

Carol Nickles | Executive Assistant | Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

“For several years before joining the program, I was pre-diabetic. My daughter who is a paramedic encouraged me to get this situation under control. I was trying many different strategies and things to keep my health condition at bay but they were just not working. I decided to try the DPP because it seemed very convenient and handy.”

• Read why Carol thought the DPP was different from “dieting” programs.

• “You really have to keep at it. I learned that the people who succeeded were the ones who kept on trying even if they failed, especially if they failed. Linda would have us think about what worked for us or why it didn’t and really pushed us to just keep at it. You have to remember that eventually, something will work, you just have to be willing to work for it.”

  Nickels also appreciated the friendly environment that allowed her to get her health on track.

  “I remember going to class one day and everyone was laughing. The companionship was one of the best parts of this program. Everyone was very friendly and was going down the same road. I am now no longer a pre-diabetic and I attribute a lot of this to the program! It got me pumped to try again and focus on my health.”

Calvin Lee | System Analyst | FOA

“I am borderline diabetic so I joined because I didn’t want it to get to the point where I am diabetic. I would rather not have to deal with worrying about taking insulin or using needles. As well as this I feel like not a lot of people pay attention or watch the development of their diabetes. They just let it pass over their heads and by the time they figure stuff out it's too late. I took a proactive measure to prevent this.”

• Read more about how Calvin sustains health through minor lifestyle changes.

• “The USDA recommends that we eat a rainbow of food each day. People really need to watch what they eat so that they do not have to work super hard to change their habits afterward. As well as this exercise does not mean you have to run 2-3 miles every day. As long as you move for 20 minutes each day you should be fine. You could even break up the time into 10-minute increments as you see fit. I learned that being healthy doesn’t have to cost an arm and leg and can be achieved in the privacy of your own room.”
  
  In addition to all the great information that each of the participants left with, they all say that Linda and her team also made the program fun and enjoyable to attend, a component that Lee appreciated.

  “It was very helpful to document my daily food intakes. I was able to gauge the number of calories I consume each day. Every person is different and I learned what works best for me. I encourage staff/faculty to look at their health and determine if this program is for them. Their health is important, which is why the UC system is encouraging its employees to look after their health.”