The University of Tennessee at Martin will host the second Healthy Steps program this fall for community members seeking to lose weight, create healthy lifestyles and combat chronic diseases such as diabetes type 2, hypertension, heart disease and cancer.

The 16-week program will begin Sept. 3 and meet at 6 p.m. each Tuesday night through Dec. 17 in room 120 of Gooch Hall on the UT Martin main campus. Diane Austin, an assistant professor in the UT Martin Department of Nursing, and Allicia Austin, certified lifestyle coach, will conduct the sessions using the Prevent T2 program. This course was designed by the National Diabetes Prevention Program, which is led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The program’s goal is to help participants permanently lose five to seven percent of their body weight through healthy eating and increased physical activity. Participants move through the program as a group, providing a personal support network in addition to the help of a registered nurse and certified lifestyle coach. The program is open to all, and there is no cost to participate.

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 Allicia or Diane Austin at the email addresses above.

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