Preventing Diabetes on a Budget

Type 2 diabetes is one of the unique challenges that is becoming an epidemic among older adults due to its high prevalence, particularly among people with existing comorbidities, including obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 37 million Americans have diagnoses of type 2 diabetes. However, management and treatment become more challenging due to reduced financial capacity among the demographic population. This educational material, Preventing Diabetes on a Budget, is designed to educate Wellness Elevated clients, primarily senior citizens aged 60 and older living in Gunnison, Colorado. It aims to promote healthy eating on a smart budget and prevent nutrition-related chronic diseases such as Diabetes, obesity, metabolic disorders like high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. This material is one of the project deliverables in the Nutrition Education and Counseling Class (NTR 320), Nutrition Science Program, Department of Recreation, Exercise, and Sport Sciences, Western Colorado University. The project aims to equip our students with high-impact practices emphasizing effective communication, cultural competence, information literacy, creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative learning. The Wellness Elevated program includes nutrition assessments, exercise, interventions, evaluations, and counseling for seniors with preexisting conditions, all conducted under the careful guidance and supervision of experienced faculty members.