Diane Austin, assistant professor of nursing at the University of Tennessee at Martin, and her daughter, Allica Austin, will sponsor a community “Healthy Steps” program from Jan. 28-May 12. The 16-week lifestyle change program will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays in room 120 of UT Martin’s Gooch Hall, and there is no cost to participate.

The program’s goal is to help participants permanently lose 5-7 percent of their body weight by eating healthier and being more physically active. The Austin duo use the Prevent T2 Program from the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the support-group style curriculum. All group participants will have access to a lifestyle coach and nursing staff to assist throughout the program.

Diane Austin holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from UT Martin and a Master of Science in Nursing from Union University. She has more than 20 years of experience as a registered nurse specializing in critical care and medical-surgical nursing. Allica Austin is a diabetes prevention program lifestyle coach, as recognized by the Centers for Disease Control, and has spent more than 10 years helping people reach health and wellness goals through diet and exercise. She holds a bachelor’s degree in health and human performance from UT Martin and a master’s degree from Liberty University.

Brian Carroll, UT Martin lecturer of dietetics, will also assist the group in some sessions. Carroll holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in food and nutrition from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois.

Interested participants should email <a href="mailto:allica.austin@gmail.com">allica.austin@gmail.com</a> or <a href="mailto:daustin@utm.edu">daustin@utm.edu</a> to enroll in the program. Registration emails should include each individual’s name, phone number and email address. For more information, contact either Allica or Diane Austin at the email addresses above.

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