January 10, 2013

People diagnosed or at risk for diabetes can enroll in free fitness, nutrition and cooking classes sponsored in January and February by the Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS).

The classes will offer a sneak preview to Diabetes Awareness Wellness Network (DAWN), a center that HDHHS will open in the spring at the Third Ward Multi-Service Center, 3611 Ennis.

Tuesday classes are Diabetes 101 at 9:30 a.m.; Self-Monitoring Your Blood Sugar, 10:30 a.m.; Avoiding Diabetes Complications, 2 p.m. and Nutrition, Cooking & Diabetes, 3 p.m. Thursday classes are Cooking at 9 a.m.; Nutrition & Diabetes, 11 a.m.; Diabetes 101, 2 p.m. and Exercise Together at 3 p.m.

Participants will get to use DAWN’s fitness room after their classes.

Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in Harris County. Approximately 9 percent of adults in the Houston area have been told by a physician that they have diabetes.

HDHHS will use the center’s wellness programming to help participants improve the way they manage their diabetes and their quality of life.

For more information, call 713-527-4005.