Next session of Pivio Health is coming up soon; registration due Feb. 6

As part of the university’s initiative to improve overall health and wellness throughout the Purdue community, the Center for Healthy Living on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus, in conjunction with Lifestyle Medicine Institute, is offering a redesigned version of its virtual, plant-based lifestyle intervention program as part of the 2023 Healthy Boiler workshop and wellness programming. The next session of Pivio Health (formerly known as CHIP), begins March 6. Registration to participate is due by noon Feb. 6.

The program is designed to help participants make changes to their lifestyles through education, practical experience and reinforcement, with a focus on behavior change. Additionally, Pivio helps support and facilitate the prevention, treatment and reversal of chronic disease and identify current lifestyle patterns that may lead to current/future health ailments. Hence, individuals pivot toward optimum health and away from chronic illnesses. 

Pivio supports all five of the Healthy Boiler Program pillars: physical health, behavioral health, social wellness, financial wellness and work-life integration pillars of the Healthy Boiler Program.

Pivio is based on the six pillars of lifestyle medicine: regular exercise, plant-based eating pattern, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, restful sleeping habits and meaningful social connections. Participants will form new habits and make better choices based on increased knowledge and practical application. Led by Lindsay Bloom, health coach at Purdue University Fort Wayne, the program puts emphasis on how individuals live, move, think and eat in regard to creating and maintaining a healthier way of life. This class is facilitated virtually in a group environment with dynamic group discussions and peer support. Pivio integrates optimal nutrition, exercise and behavioral psychology principles and tools. Plant-based eating is at the core of the program’s nutrition education. 

Onboarding begins for this program on Feb. 22, with classes beginning March 6. In the first six weeks of the program, the group will meet two times a week, once for a Core Session and once for a Support Session (Mondays and Wednesdays). For the last six weeks of the program, the group meets only once a week for a Core Session (Mondays). The program meets weekly with an end date of May 22. All classes are from 3- 4 p.m. ET, via Teams.

“As part of Pivio, participants get pre- and post-health assessment surveys, pre-and post-lab work, a cookbook and journal, help with cooking, food prep, exercise, online program content and much more,” Bloom said. “Pivio can help individuals make lifestyle changes, which can significantly reduce the common risk factors for lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. The course content also can improve your health knowledge, energy, desire to exercise, resilience and life fulfilment.”

Interested individuals should register by noon Feb. 6 via the Healthy Boiler Portal. The registration link can be found under the “Healthy Boiler Workshops” section on the portal’s home page. Hover over the “Pivio Health” square and hit “Submit” to register. 

Healthy Boiler workshops and lifestyle programming are free to all benefits-eligible faculty and staff and dependents covered on a Purdue health plan.

“Studies continue to show that healthier workers are overall more productive and happy,” said Candace Shaffer, senior director of benefits in Human Resources. “Pivio Health is yet another way for employees to engage in living a healthier lifestyle. The diversity of our employees requires a variety of program options so that everyone has the chance to find something that is right for them.” 

More details about Pivio can be found online via the Lifestyle Medicine Institute’s website at https://piviohealth.com. Questions about the program can be directed to the CHL at 765-494-0111.