Media Contact: Nicole Diaz, nicole.diaz.545@my.csun.edu, or Javier Rojas, javier.rojas@csun.edu, (818)-677-2130
Since 2011, California State University, Northridge’s kinesiology and health sciences departments have offered an accessible exercise program to the local community.
Now, they have introduced a new initiative, the Diabetes Prevention Program, set on pairing their already established exercise classes with culturally sensitive lessons on diabetes and how to prevent it.
“A lot of the diabetes prevention programs that are being conducted around the country tell people to exercise but they don’t have a built-in exercise component,” said professor emeritus of kinesiology, Steven Loy. “We had the opportunity to add-on the diabetes prevention program to the exercise program already engaged in”
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 3 WINS Fitness, a free local physical activity health program, conducts 60-minute structured exercises for participants of all activity levels. The goal is to encourage inactive participants to start their fitness journey, aiming to improve their strength and cardiovascular capacity.
Last summer, Loy and CSUN 3 WINS student volunteers began outlining the diabetes prevention program with the hopes of growing their team and empowering participants to lead healthier lifestyles outside of their programming.
With diabetes rates rising in the Latino community, Dhnzl Dreyl Ocampo—a CSUN public health student and lead volunteer for the diabetes prevention program—emphasized that education is crucial for prevention.
“I think that diabetes is a very important health issue in the Latino community,” Ocampo said. “A lot of people have heard of diabetes, maybe their family members have diabetes, but there’s a knowledge gap and we’re able to fill that with the prevention program and provide skills they take home to improve their lifestyle.”
Credit: Saul Guzman.
Student volunteers have adapted Prevent T2, a preventive lifestyle change curriculum established by the CDC, to address diabetes in a culturally sensitive manner, recognizing that their primary demographic is Latino. Ocampo acknowledged it was at the forefront of their design plan.
“Cultural competency, especially with this predominant Latino population, is very important for this program, which is why we deliver it in both Spanish and English,” Ocampo said. “We include a lot of staple foods within the Latino household since there is a common misconception that Latino food is inherently unhealthy. We can adapt the foods to keep the culture but just make them more nutritious.”
Program participants gain valuable knowledge through workshops focused on nutrition, diabetes education and resources for stress management to help them stay on track with their health goals. For example, lessons on a proper diet include learning how to count calories, which the program demonstrates using a familiar dish like carne asada. In these sessions, instructors break down the ingredients and present healthy alternatives, empowering participants to enjoy their favorite meals while still meeting their health objectives.
Aside from providing resources, the 3 WINS program has been able to foster an encouraging and welcoming community. Many participants have been attending 3 WINS for years now, even inviting their partners or children to participate, and have built a bond and trust with each other and the student volunteers.
“They’ve already participated in the exercise program,” Loy said. “They know the instructors and they trust what the students are bringing to the program. They know it is coming from the university and are always willing to jump on board.”
The diabetes prevention program not only empowers the participants but also the student volunteers as well. Through leading the program, Loy said it gives volunteers a chance to learn skills like public speaking and leadership otherwise not taught in classrooms.
“It shows people what kinesiology and students can do for the community,” Loy said. “Sometimes to live an active lifestyle, you just need a little bit of encouragement, this is where the students can contribute.”
The 3 Wins Diabetes Prevention Program meets every Friday at the San Fernando Recreation Park located at 208 Park Avenue, San Fernando, CA 91340 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The free exercise program starts at 8:15 a.m.
To learn more about 3 Wins Fitness and their exercise programs, visit the 3 WINS Fitness website.
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