From as early as Robert DeLeon can remember, food was always a big part of his life. Some of his earliest childhood memories are of enjoying his mother’s delectable desserts and always being encouraged to fill his plate with more food. This led him to a long-time struggle with weight gain and elevated blood sugar levels.
That all changed for DeLeon, a Kaiser Permanente member, in October 2021 after spending 12 days in the hospital with COVID-19.
Once back home, DeLeon realized he was heading down the same path as his parents, who he watched pass away due to complications from diabetes. His primary care physician connected him with a diabetes case manager and pharmacist to help manage his blood sugar and the related medications. With their support and guidance, his blood sugar levels dropped and returned to within the healthy range.
Motivated by his progress, DeLeon then turned his focus to addressing his body weight of nearly 400 pounds. He discussed the desire to lose weight with his primary care physician, who referred him to the Healthy Balance program offered by Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Healthy Living in Southern California. This 1-year weight management and diabetes prevention program provided him with the tools and support he needed to succeed. He learned about healthy portion sizes and had access to a professional wellness coach.
"I discovered so many new things about nutrition that I had never given a second thought to before," said DeLeon.
His daily menu now consists of oatmeal, a low-calorie entree, and refreshing salads. He has lost 86 pounds since committing to positive lifestyle changes and has his blood sugar under control.
DeLeon recently celebrated his 55th birthday and is on his way to reaching his goal weight of less than 200 pounds. He continues to improve his fitness and looks forward to returning to bicycle riding, an activity he enjoyed in his youth.
“Eating healthy has to be a way of life and it's going to take time for the weight to come off," DeLeon acknowledged. “I want to praise the Healthy Balance instructors and their whole approach for helping me stay on track.”
Approximately 96 million American adults — more than 1 in 3 — have prediabetes, a serious health condition that occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. If you’re overweight, losing 5% to 10% of your body weight can improve your blood sugar levels and lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Find more information to help reach a healthy weight.
How a Kaiser Permanente health coaching program helped one patient achieve …
A Kaiser Permanente doctor and researcher shares the simple changes you …
A father's determination to stay healthy for his 3 children led him to …
A sharp increase in rates of adult caregiving is taking a mental and physical …
As a lifelong nonsmoker, Mariann Stephens was shocked to learn she had …
A Kaiser Permanente physician thought he pinched a nerve during a tennis …
The foods we eat play a role in risk factors that can lead to disease.
Ask yourself a few questions to figure out if you’re using food to try …
Bettye Garrett’s personal doctor says her healthy perspective on life’s …
In August 2023, John Lynn collapsed at work. For the next year, he fought …
A lifelong educator seeks behavioral health care to manage repetitive worries, …
After a long period of loneliness and isolation, Roberta Maguire gets the …
Miriam Gutierrez was diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer at age 31. …
Kaiser Permanente celebrates doctors and nurse practitioners recognized …
Connecting through a shared heritage gives one therapist a unique perspective …
With the support of his health care team and nurse navigator, musician …
The new Pueblo North Medical Offices will replace the existing facility …
After a life-threatening series of heart attacks at age 57, Bunnell Fockler …
Taking time to focus while you eat can help you avoid overeating.
Donna Budway received prompt surgery followed by chemotherapy. She credits …
A basketball coach’s remarkable story of undergoing brain tumor surgery …
Support from a dedicated care team helps Tiffany Anonye breastfeed her …
A mother and daughter share a special bond after undergoing tonsillectomies …
Ed Dalmasso needed an aortic valve replacement. His care team provided …
Harold Newman had advanced prostate cancer. Genetic testing helped expand …
5280 Magazine named 332 Kaiser Permanente physicians to its annual Top …
A Southern California program, powered by our connected care model, is …
Chef Ann Foundation will use $275,000 grant for Colorado program to convert …
When a newborn was diagnosed with meningitis, a life-threatening infection …
Chris Hogan faced kidney cancer and prostate cancer at the same time. He …
A young father is enjoying “bonus time” with his kids thanks to new targeted …
Kaiser Permanente and the Los Angeles Football Club will launch the second …
Patients like Carol Pitman are living longer thanks to advances in lung …
Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, …
One in 5 people experience depression, anxiety, or other mental health …
It’s easy to put off recommended health screenings, and sometimes even …
Black Americans experience worse health outcomes compared to other populations …
Lynch syndrome is a gene mutation that increases colon cancer risk. Learn …
Virtual cardiac rehab helped Mike Kelly heal at home after a life-threatening …
A healthy life after cancer is possible. Learn how Kaiser Permanente helps …
Kaiser Permanente excels in preventing, detecting, and treating kidney …
For Sam Beeson, having a midwife at her side during her pregnancy helped …
Early detection of the disease, before it becomes advanced, will increase …
Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended for most people starting …
Care teams at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center helped Phillip Crawford …
Gabriel Abarca had no hope for his future. Then the team at Kaiser Permanente …
Innovative surgical recovery program helps breast cancer patients safely …
You have only one heart. ‘Prescribe’ yourself a few changes to help protect …
People with diabetes are more likely to have heart disease.
Kaiser Permanente’s Patient Advisory Councils help us create exceptional …
Members experiencing a low risk pregnancy have the option of having their …
Kaiser Permanente teams up with Los Angeles Football Club to build 5 futsal …
A new care option offers a mix of in-person and virtual visits, supported …
From diagnosis to recovery, David Parsons, MD, shares how screening, treatment …
A team of specialists treats an expecting mother’s cancer while keeping …
A child and adolescent psychiatrist shares tips on supporting your child …
Joy Short, a Kaiser Permanente member and employee, turned her breast cancer …
The prestigious Magnet® designation affirms the compassion, dedication, …
For years, serious heart attacks meant hours of weekly appointments. Now, …
Members give video visits high marks — and with a few simple tips, you …
Research and clinical trials play a vital role in advancing cancer treatment …
Kaiser Permanente is at the forefront of cervical cancer research. Find …
After a diagnosis for a rare type of blood cancer, Marla Marriott got high-qua …
The Kaiser Permanente Southern California 2022 Community Health Snapshot …
Learn how lifestyle medicine is part of cancer care at Kaiser Permanente.
Fay Gordon's breast cancer was caught in the early stages thanks to genetic …
Tarayn Fairlie, MD, a pediatrician and lactation consultant, helps separate …
Michael West shares his incredible journey from diagnosis to treatment …
Many people with cancer experience depression and anxiety. Mental health …
Our members are more likely to feed their babies breast milk. And they’re …
Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center’s Bridge Program has become …
Doctor and mother of 3 Susan Brim received top-notch care after her lung …
It’s important to be proactive about your health by scheduling regular …
Carter Shaver from Portland, Oregon, shares his optimistic smile after …
Thanks to personalized care from a team of skilled doctors, Christina McAmis …
Kaiser Permanente member Debbie Hoisch encourages people to know the warning …
Peer mentoring program matches new cancer patients with others who’ve gone …
Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center achieves Magnet status, the …
As a nonsmoker, Betty Schuldt’s stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis was surprising, …
Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center recognized by the Women’s Choice …
Gestational diabetes poses a significant risk to women of color, particularly …
Kaiser Permanente offers many high-quality, convenient options to help …
Treatment for bipolar disorder and opiate addiction helps a Kaiser Permanente …
Kaiser Permanente study shows even modest elevations in BMI above the “average …
Kaiser Permanente in Southern California partners with San Diego Wave Fútbol …
From avid snowboarder to chronically ill patient. How Kaiser Permanente …
Kaiser Permanente awards $80,000 in grants for health policy and community …
After a traumatic boating accident, Gabriela Curiel was airlifted to the …
Expert shares 5 valuable tips for parents and guardians to help children …
A multidisciplinary care team acted fast to help save the life of a Kaiser …
Kaiser Permanente Ontario Medical Center achieves Magnet® status, the highest …
When a Kaiser Permanente member discovered she had an irregular heartbeat …
A Southern California member with Parkinson’s disease underwent deep brain …
A Kaiser Permanente member’s cancer journey inspires her to join the team …
To meaningfully improve health equity, we must shift our focus to outcomes …
By lending a hand with dinners, diapers, and dishes, you can give loved …
By reaching out early and providing care that’s personalized to parents’ …
An innovative telehealth program gives patients direct access to pharmacists …
She wanted relief from pain and a healthy baby. Her care team delivered.
When knee injuries struck the basketball-loving pair around the same time, …