BALANCE - Enjoyment in motion
The BALANCE program started in 2007 as a one-year pilot study consisting of 50-100 participants, all of whom have one or more of the following health problems: elevated blood sugar, high blood pressure or obesity. It consists of a minimum of 2 one-hour fitness sessions each week plus a quarterly nutrition program that combines lectures as well as hands-on experience. It is designed to meet the needs of patients with long standing illness as well as those recently diagnosed. Participants are deeply motivated to change their lives for the better, regardless of the reason.
The exercise portion of the program combines both weight and cardiovascular training with at least 50% of the focus placed on building muscle strength and endurance. Participants are taught to measure their own blood pressure, pulse and blood sugar, especially before and after exercise. Changes in HbA1C, HDL, LDL, TC, and Triglyceride levels are monitored, as are changes in body weight and medications. Comparisons of current to future medication costs are calculated, as are risks for heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, foot amputation and blindness (when possible).
The nutrition portion of the program consists of 4 two-hour quarterly lectures in which participants are taught good nutrition, healthy cooking and affordable grocery shopping appropriate for anyone with diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure.
BALANCE – bewegter Genuss is managed by regional pharmacies rather than medical doctors. It utilizes a network of patients, physicians, gyms, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and funds from insurance companies. The maximum total cost for the BALANCE program is 1,149.00 Euro per participant, including the cost of the gym and any necessary measuring devices and fees. There are three possible goals after one year on the program: The first is a reduction of HbA1C by 2 percentage points. The second is a reduction in weight by 12 kg, and the third is a reduction of the systolic blood pressure by 2 mmHg for each kg of weight lost. Depending on individual needs, each participant is given one suitable goal to be defined at the onset of the program. If the goal is not met, the participant pays the cost in full. If the goal is reached, prospective health insurance companies or employers should bear 50 to 100% of the costs. Currently, participating health insurance companies bear 80 to 100% of the costs.
BALANCE is the only prevention and rehabilitation program worldwide that confronts future health care problems with a simple and affordable means for changing lifestyle habits, gaining greater health and saving billions of Euro in healthcare costs.
www.balance-bewegtergenuss.de
balanceusa.blogspot.com
September 3rd, 2010
Dr. rer. nat. Chalid Ashry, BALANCE Founder, Reinhardshagen, Germany
Alana Sugar, Certified Nutritionist, Alexandria, Virginia, USA