SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN — A local health care provider will be offering several chances next month for local residents to learn more about getting healthy.

Specturm Health Lakeland will host several wellness events in Feburary.

Events include:

• Bones in Balance classes — Lakeland Orthopedic Physical Therapy is now enrolling participants for Bones in Balance, a four-week program designed to teach those diagnosed with osteoporosis and osteopenia how to successfully live with these conditions through self-management. Bones in Balance incorporates education and exercise and is led by specially trained physical therapists. The program includes valuable self-management tips from a pharmacist, registered dietitian, and nurse educator, according to organizers.

Classes meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a four-week period at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph. Registration is now open for the next set of classes which will run from Feb. 5 to 28 and be hosted from 9 to 11:30 a.m. or 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that affects more than 44 million Americans, and although both men and women can develop the disease, more than 80 percent of sufferers are women over the age of 45. Osteoporosis is commonly referred to as “the silent disease,” because bone loss occurs without any visible symptoms at first. Many people don’t realize they have osteoporosis until their bones are so weak that the smallest strain or fall causes a bone to fracture.

A physician’s order is required to participate. There is a $25 registration fee to cover the cost of materials; the remaining amount is billable to insurance. For more information or to register, call (269) 556-7150

• Bariatric surgeons to discuss weight loss options — The Lakeland Weight Loss Center is offering a free seminar titled, “Lose Weight…Find Health” on Wednesday, Feb. 6 in the Community Conference Room at Lakeland Medical Suites in Niles, located at 42 North St. Joseph Avenue. The seminar will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Bariatric surgeons Michael Schuhknecht, DO, and Seth Miller, MD, will discuss programs available for losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight for years to come. The Lakeland Weight Loss Center specializes in working with each person to create a customized lifestyle plan, including medical weight loss management through diet or bariatric surgery, nutrition counseling, individualized exercise programs, and monthly support groups.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 190 million adults in the U.S. are overweight and obese. Individuals more than 40 percent overweight are twice as likely to die prematurely as someone of average weight. However, losing as little as 5 to 15 percent of initial body weight can reduce person’s risk of diabetes and other illnesses, and can even eliminate the need for some medications.

For more information or to register for the seminar, visit lakelandweightlosscenter.com/events or call (269) 927-5361.

• Free pre-diabetes class in Watervliet — Spectrum Health Lakeland is offering a free program designed to help anyone with higher-than-normal blood sugar levels learn about lifestyle changes which may help them avoid or delay the onset of diabetes. The class will take place on from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 7 in the Buchanan Health Resource Library at Lakeland Hospital Niles, located at 31 N. St. Joseph Avenue.

During the first hour of the program, a registered nurse will guide attendees through the disease process of diabetes and introduce healthy lifestyle changes. The final hour will be spent with a registered dietitian who will suggest meal selections that can help to maintain health and manage weight.

This program does not require a physician referral. Pre-registration for this free class is required, and class size is limited. For more information or to register, call (269) 556-2868.

• Free community seminar to discuss treatment for incontinence — Community members are invited to join medical providers, Cayla Dungey, NP, and Lyndsey Brown, PA, and physical therapist, Vanessa Cool, PT, for a free educational seminar titled, “Planning Your Life Around the Restroom? Take Control!” The seminar will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7 in the conference center at Lakeland at Meadowbrook, located at 2550 Meadowbrook Road in Benton Harbor.

Approximately 25 million adult Americans live with the lifestyle limitations that come with the inability to control urinary function. Many who suffer from this condition wait too long before seeking medical help. During the seminar, providers will discuss the causes and symptoms of incontinence and how you can overcome it safely and effectively.

Preregistration is encouraged, and walk-ins are welcome. For more information, or to register, call (269) 927-5361 or visit lakelandhealth.org/bladder.

Spectrum Health Lakeland is a nonprofit, community-owned health system serving southwest Michigan and northern Indiana. The healthcare provider seeks to offer a full continuum of care and wellness services, including three hospitals, an outpatient surgery center, a cancer center and 41 physician practices. Lakeland is a division of Spectrum Health with 30,000 professionals, 4,100 medical staff experts, 3,200 volunteers and a health plan serving 1 million members. Lakeland has been recognized as one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems by Truven Health Analytics, part of IBM Watson Health.