YMCA DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM
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For more information about eligibility, program fees and registration, please contact Linda McVey at 216-509-3480 or healthyliving@clevelandY.org
Diabetes is a serious health condition that can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, high blood pressure, and blindness. Prediabetes is a potentially reversible condition that often leads to diabetes, and 79 million people in the United States are estimated to have it. If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, or believe you may be at risk for developing the disease, the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program can help you develop a healthier lifestyle and work with you to reduce the risks this condition can pose to your health. Based on effective efforts researched by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program will help you learn about and adopt the healthy eating and physical activity habits that have been proven to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Through the program you will receive support and encouragement from both a trained lifestyle coach and fellow classmates as you develop a plan for improving and maintaining your overall well-being. About the Program: As a leading nonprofit for strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y believes that all people should be able to live life to its fullest, healthiest potential. In the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program a trained lifestyle coach will introduce topics in a small classroom setting and encourage participants as they explore how healthy eating, physical activity and behavior changes can benefit their health. How It Works: The 12-month group-based program consists of 16 core sessions (one hour a week for 16 weeks in a row), followed by 9 more sessions over the rest of the 12 month period. The program is led by a trained lifestyle coach who facilitates a small group of people with similar goals. We discuss topics such as healthy eating, increasing physical activity, reducing stress, problem solving, and much more. Program Goals:
Program Format:In a small group classroom setting, a trained Lifestyle Coach helps participants change their lifestyles by learning about healthy eating, physical activity, and other behavior changes over the course of a year. This is NOT an exercise class. Topics covered include healthy eating, overcoming stress, staying motivated, getting started with physical activity, and more. Information for Health Professionals: Through our expertise in chronic disease prevention, the Y can help you help your patients. As a leading nonprofit strengthening community, in part through healthy living, the Y knows that in order to remain healthy, patients diagnosed with prediabetes often need to make lifestyle changes. We also understand that such changes can come with challenges, and that having a reliable support system can not only make adjustments easier for your patients, but also help ensure that they stay motivated. The YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program – based on research by the National Institutes of Health and part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – is a proven, community-based disease prevention resource that can provide your patients with the support they need to adopt the behaviors you recommend to improve their condition. It uses a classroom setting and peer support to introduce and emphasize the benefits of: -healthy eating -moderate physical activity -modest weight loss -staying motivated At the Y, we believe all people deserve the opportunity to live full, healthy lives. When you refer patients to the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program you can rest assured that they are receiving help and guidance from trained lifestyle coaches who understand the many day-to-day changes they are trying to make. We will work closely with them to make sure that their efforts are supported and that they develop the kinds of healthy habits that we know can help delay, or even prevent, the onset of type 2 diabetes. Partners and Community Organizations Centers for Disease Control and Prevention American Diabetes Association Diabetes Advocacy Alliance Sources: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/problems.htm http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/eatright.htm http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/beactive.htm http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/downloads/R2P_life_change.pdf |
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I At Risk? An estimated one of every three U.S. adults has prediabetes, yet just 11% of those with prediabetes know they have it. Prediabetes increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Click the PDF link above to take a short quiz to learn if you are at risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. What Is Prediabetes? Prediabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with prediabetes are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Can I Participate? If your physician has already diagnosed you as diabetic, you are NOT eligible for this program. To qualify for the program, you must be at least a bit overweight and at risk for developing diabetes. Determining whether you are at risk for developing diabetes can be accomplished in one of three ways: 1. Physician diagnosis 2. Blood test with one of the following results: a) HbA1c between 5.7% and 6.4% b) Fasting plasma glucose between 100 and 125 mg/dL c) 2-hour (75 gm glucola) Plasma Glucose between 140 and 199 mg/dL 3. A combination of risk factors such as family history, overweight, previous gestational diabetes, elevated cholesterol, advancing age, etc. You do NOT need to be a YMCA member to participate. WHAT PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING... "I don’t remember a life without diabetes and an awareness of my potential for diagnosis. I watched as my grandparents, mother, aunts, uncles and cousins struggled with the disease--and while experience was a great lesson, the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program was the first education course to truly impact me." "My life has been so positively impacted that several friends want to know what I’m doing that is working so well for me. The straightforward, simple preventative approach of counting calories, decreasing fat and increasing activity is easy to follow. It is put into easy-to-understand concepts that help me to focus on achieving a goal of lifestyle balance." "I used to lay awake at night and try to figure out how to lose weight and lower my risk of getting diabetes. Thanks to the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, I now know what to do, am doing it, and am experiencing success." “Thank you” is not enough to say, but it will have to do. Thank you." - Donna N. |