“In Control” with Jemi Health and Wellness
Atlantic Medical is proud to have partnered with Jemi Health, Wellness and Fitness and other local sponsors on the In Control program.
In Control is a 13-week weight management program offered by Jemi Health, Wellness and Fitness for pre-diabetic, and diabetic, overweight and obese people. Jemi is the first company both in The Bahamas and the region to provide this groundbreaking program in collaboration with the renowned Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The objective of In Control is to help at-risk individuals better understand the benefits of healthy living and to equip them with the tools for long-term success in managing diabetes.
Patterned after the Joslin Diabetes Center’s highly successful Why Wait weight management program, In Control provides holistic support from a multi-disciplinary team to assist participants with setting personal goals for weight loss management. The team also creates a nurturing environment to provide support for challenges along the way.
The twenty-six AMI-insureds chosen to participate in the program and are now into their fourth week and according to the program facilitators at JEMI are responding positively to the lifestyle changes. Some participants have lost weight and as a result are experiencing reduction in fasting blood glucose levels.
President of JEMI Health and Wellness, Mrs. Janette Martin- Isaacs is pleased to offer this program in the Bahamas at this time especially given the obesity rates in the Bahamas and the increasing number of pre-diabetics and diabetics.This is an intervention we can use with most persons in The Bahamas and we expect to offer it to the wider community”, said Isaacs.
While on the program, participants will be educated through a series of diabetes educational activities which include nutrition, fitness and cognitive behavioral lifestyle exercises. Dr. Sheena Antonio Collie, the assigned physician for the program, stressed the importance of participants being thoroughly informed.
“This program gives diabetics and pre-diabetics that boost in the right direction to help control their glucose. It is important for them to understand what it means to be diabetic, the complications of diabetes and how they can treat and control it” said Dr Collie. Diabetic participants currently on medication are encouraged to continue with their daily dosage. However, she states, “We hope to see a reduction in the need for medications. For patients who are on insulin we hope to achieve a reduction in insulin therapy”.
Since the Nutrition component of the In Control program includes a meal replacement, Lowes Wholesale is the official sponsor of the program’s meal supplement, ‘Boost Glucose Control’. Brands Manager, Nyoka Sweeting said, “We found it fitting and necessary to sponsor the program. Boost glucose control is designed specifically for diabetics. It has 25 vitamins and minerals and participants can have it either for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It can also be supplemented as a snack and is also designed for people who are lactose intolerant”.
The In Control team includes Dr. Sheena Antonio-Collie (Internal Medicine), BehavioralTherapists (Janette Martin-Isaacs), Registered Nurses, Nutritionists, Holistic Life Coaches, Exercise Physiologists, Insurance Practitioners and Pharmaceutical Partners
Atlantic Medical Wellness Coordinator, Donovan Ingraham, explains that the company saw the need to sponsor the diabetes “In Control” program with JEMI Health and Wellness as a result of the diabetes problem in the country.
“We know there is an obesity epidemic that is directly related to diabetes. Atlantic Medical is the first insurance company to hire a wellness coordinator to help implement and maintain wellness programs for corporate companies. We find it important to make sure individuals are well educated in terms of every avenue whether mental, physical or nutritional health. Therefore, we found it very important to sponsor an individual program to help reduce diabetes” said Ingraham.
Isaacs, the President of Jemi said, “At the end of 13 weeks it is anticipated that participants will graduate with HBA1C values less than 7. Under 7 means they are in control of their health and hence, their lifestyle”.
The progression of the In Control program will continue to be closely monitored throughout the 13-weeks with the assistance of the Joslin Diabetes Center. JEMI Health and Wellness is committed to creating lifestyle change through ongoing health and wellness programs that encourage healthy living in Mind, Body and Spirit.
