LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University Extension has received full program recognition from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to offer the National Diabetes Prevention Program online via Zoom.

This course is designed for people who are at-risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The focus is on establishing lifestyle changes that promote healthy eating, physical activity and goal setting that lead to a 5% to 7% weight loss and decreased risk for type 2 diabetes.

To be eligible, the person must:

— Be at least 18 years old;

— Be overweight, with a Body Mass Index of 25 or more or 23 if Asian;

— Not be pregnant;

— Have no previous diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes;

— Have a blood test result in the prediabetes range within the past year or have a previous clinical diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

A mandatory program orientation meeting will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern time Monday, Jan. 4, that will provide detailed information about the program. The series will start the next Monday, Jan. 11, from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern time.

Attendance is manageable as participants can attend from the comforts of their own home. The program is free for those who qualify.

Online registration is required at https://events.anr.msu.edu/UPNDPP1421/. Registered participants will receive an email before the orientation that will provide the Zoom information and course materials.

Participants will work with Tracie Abram, a lifestyle coach and MSU Extension health educator, and another MSU Extension health educator and lifestyle coach.

This evidence-based program requires at least eight participants and no more than 15 who are willing to meet for 23 sessions or 23 hours within a year.

Make-up sessions are provided within that same week if participants miss a session.

Those who need help downloading Zoom and using it, or has have other questions about the series can contact Abram prior to the orientation on Jan 4.

Dates for the 23 series sessions and topics are:

— Jan. 4: Welcome to the National Diabetes Prevention Program;

— Jan. 11: Be a Fat and Calorie Detective;

— Jan. 18: Three Ways to Eat Less Fat and Fewer Calories;

— Jan. 25: Healthy Eating;

— Feb. 1: Move Those Muscles;

— Feb. 8: Being Active — A Way of Life;

— Feb. 15: Tip the Calorie Balance;

— Feb. 22: Take Charge of What’s Around You;

— March 1: Problem Solving;

— March 15: Four Keys to Healthy Eating Out;

— March 29: Talk Back to Negative Thoughts;

— April 12: The Slippery Slope of Lifestyle Change;

— April 26: Jump Start Your Activity Plan;

— May 10: Make Social Cues Work for You;

— May 24: You Can Manage Stress;

— June 7: Ways to Stay Motivated;

— July 5: Welcome to Months 7-12.

On the dates Aug. 9, Sept. 6, Oct. 4, Nov. 1 and Dec. 6, the topics are yet to be determined.

The final session — Looking Back and Looking Forward — will be on Jan. 3, 2022.

MSU Extension looks forward to providing this series and supporting participants through their healthy lifestyle transformation.