DOBSON — For those looking to learn how to lose weight by eating healthier and exercising, diabetes classes are being offered in partnership with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension and the Surry County Health and Nutrition Center.

Cooperative Extension Agent Carmen Long said Surry County is one of four counties in North Carolina where these classes called, “Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less,” are being offered.

“We will provide good information to help them to make good choices so that they can improve their quality of life. We will have some positive impacts on people’s health,” said Long.

People who would like to participate in these classes do not have to have diabetes. She said the class is for everyone and is for all ages.

“This is for anyone who is overweight, that is a risk factor within itself. Age is also a risk factor. Most of us have some family history, or have lack of physical activity or poor diets, those are all risk factors. So even if someone has not been diagnosed does not mean they are immune to getting diabetes. We are open to anyone,” said Long.

The classes are being offered at the Armfield Recreation Center on Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. for 15 weeks starting on Aug. 11. The class is $10 and is being funded by a grant. Long said the fee is really to make sure participants are committed to the program.

“It’s less than a dollar a week and there is not much that you can do for less than a dollar a week, especially when it comes to a weight-management program. One of the things that makes this a little bit different is that it focuses on long-term behavioral changes. It’s going to help people think about what they are eating, when they are eating, why they are eating. We are going to teach about portion sizes and how to make better choices as well as encouraging physical activity, but the group itself will not be doing physical activity, unless they decide to do so as a group.”

Long said the cooperative extension and the health department won a Diabetes Prevention Grant that is making the classes possible.

“We were selected because we already have the Diabetes & You classes. We are already doing some things in that area. They thought this would be a good county to reach out to,” said Long.

She said as part of the grant, which is a research project, participants will be asked to fill out a survey. She said participants will receive a free workbook and a food diary.

There is another class being offered at Salem Baptist Church in Dobson starting Aug. 22. That class will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Long stressed that even though the two classes being offered are in Dobson and Pilot Mountain, everyone in the county is urged to sign up.

She said if someone wants to participate but does not have the $10 fee, the cooperative extension office will work with them.

The local cooperative extension also is offering Diabetes & You classes that will begin on Aug. 17. The classes are free. The first class is from noon to 1 p.m. at the N.C. Cooperative Extension office in Dobson. It is called “Filling Your Plate: Filling Up, Not Out.” The Diabetes & You classes are free. One class per month is offered through December.

For more information on these classes, call the N.C. Cooperative Extension office at 401-8025 or the Surry County Health and Nutrition Center at 401-8419.

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.