The last in a series of free fitness sessions to help people from minority ethnic communities in the fight against Type 2 diabetes will take place in Leicester this month.
The sessions, which are for all ages and all ethnic minority groups, are part of a programme which began in January called Raising Awareness and prevention of Type 2 Diabetes (RADIATE), a new drive to raise awareness of the condition in ethnic minority communities in Leicestershire.
The free fitness session covers boxing, circuits and football skills and the next one, featuring super bantamweight boxer Rendall Munrow, will take place at Highfields Community Centre, Melbourne Road, Leicester, between 4pm and 5pm on Wednesday March 15.
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A fitness session specifically for women from the South Asian community will also take place at the BYCS Action Resource Centre, Myrtle Road, Leicester on Wednesday, March 8 from 1pm to 2pm.
The sessions are being organised by the Centre for Black and Minority Ethnic Health East Midlands and supported by the National Institute for Health Research’s Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) East Midlands.
Dr Natalie Darko, who is a Community Lead Researcher at the centre and is leading the programme, said: “This is about increasing knowledge about the consequences of Type 2 diabetes through a six-month community engagement programme.
“People from minority ethnic groups are at a disproportionate risk of Type 2 diabetes and experiencing associated complications. There are also often barriers in place preventing people from ethnic communities receiving the care, knowledge and understanding they need to enable them to avoid developing Type 2 diabetes.”
In addition, healthy eating workshops focused on South Asian food will take place at BYCS Action Resource Centre, Myrtle Road, Leicester, between 12.30pm and 2pm on the following Tuesday March 14.
The programme will culminate with a follow-up event at Loughborough University on Saturday, March 18.
The project builds on previous research exploring the experiences, knowledge and understanding of Type 2 diabetes and its prevention in minority ethnic communities.
The Centre for Black and Minority Ethnic Health East Midlands is working to reduce health inequality in the region by sharing resources and promoting research.
CLAHRC East Midlands is a partnership of regional health services, universities and industry which turns research into cost-saving and high-quality care through cutting-edge innovation.
To take part in the fitness and healthy eating workshops, email bmehealth-em@le.ac.uk or call Dr Darko on 07803 585746.
