HEALTHCARE LIBRARY IN LA MESA TO HOST FREE MEETING ABOUT PREVENTING DIABETES ON AUGUST 28

Source: Grossmont Healthcare District

Photo:  Marlayna Bollinger, Executive Director Skinny Gene

August 8, 2019 (La Mesa) -- The Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library will host a talk on lifestyle change and diabetes prevention from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 28, 2019, as part of its monthly "Wellness Wednesday" health education series.

The presenter on August 28 will be Marlayna Bollinger, Executive Director of Skinny Gene Project, a local diabetes prevention organization. Bollinger will share information about their lifestyle modification program and how it provides tools for reaching healthy weight and physical activity goals.

More than 1 in 3 adults in the United States have prediabetes, but 9 out of 10 people don't know it. Locally, the numbers are significantly higher. In San Diego, an estimated half of adult San Diegans are on the path to diabetes (type 2).

Type 2 diabetes and its precursor condition are both prevalent, but preventable. Organizations like Skinny Gene empower their program participants to reduce their risk through weekly topics and strategies related to healthy weight loss, along with individual and group support from certified lifestyle coaches.

"The Skinny Gene Project helps you connect with others from your community and work with coaches to create your own, personalized healthy lifestyle guide," said Bollinger. "We help you learn how to feel empowered to lead a healthy lifestyle."

Herrick Library is located at 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa. The library's "Wellness Wednesday" series is normally held on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Admission is free and advance RSVP is not required. Light refreshments and informational handouts will be available.

Herrick Library, which opened in 2002, is a consumer health public library specializing in health research information, accessible both on-site and online. The library is operated by the Grossmont Healthcare District, a public agency that supports health-related community programs and services in San Diego's East County. For more information, phone the library at (619) 825-5010 or visit www.herricklibrary.org<http://www.herricklibrary.org.