The American Diabetes Association defines diabetes
as a problem within your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. This is also called hyperglycemia. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
If you have type 2 diabetes your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. At first, your pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it. But, over time, it isn’t able to keep up and can’t make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose at normal levels.
If you are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, the Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA offers a Diabetes Prevention Program that can help you reduce your chances of developing diabetes.
A trained lifestyle coach teaches participants how to change their lifestyle through healthy eating, physical activity and other behavior changes.
The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program and is currently available at 202 Ys in 43 states and the District of Columbia. This evidence-based program has shown that by increasing physical activity and losing a modest amount of weight, a person with prediabetes can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by more than half.
Program Goals:
• Help participants reduce body weight by 7 percent.
• Encourage people in the program to participate in 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
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.
Who qualifies for the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program?
To qualify for the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, participants must be 18 or older, overweight/obese (Body Mass Index > 25) and at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, or they must have been diagnosed with prediabetes.
What is the cost?
The program costs $35 per month, which is automatically withdrawn from your bank account for 12 months. Those participants who attend the first four sessions will automatically receive a one-year free YMCA membership – a value of $360. Financial assistance is available to those in need.
For more information
Sandy Watkins is the local Y’s Diabetes Prevention Program assistant. You can call her at (817) 419-9629, ext. 4202 or send her an email at sandyw@ymca-arlington.org.
