DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM
But what is prediabetes? Prediabetes means your blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal, but not yet developed to type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes increases your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Unlike type 2 diabetes, prediabetes is reversible with lifestyle changes including healthy eating and increased physical activity. Without lifestyle changes, 15 – 30% of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes.
Certain factors may put you at greater risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. These risk factors include, but are not limited to:
- Body weight – Being overweight
- Age – 45 years of age or older.
- Family history – having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.
- Activity level – Being physically active less than 3 times per week.
- Pregnancy – Having given birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds or having diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes).
- Race and ethnicity also affect your risk – African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and some Asian Americans are at particularly high risk for type 2 diabetes.
If you have prediabetes, the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program can help reduce your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program will help you learn about and adopt 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 group members as you develop a plan for improving and maintaining your overall well-being.
To learn more about prediabetes, the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program and how you can get screened, contact Alison Bradow at or .
Source: National Diabetes Prevention Program. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention
BLOOD PRESSURE SELF-MONITORING PROGRAM
1 IN 3 AMERICAN ADULTS HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, BUT ONLY ABOUT HALF OF PEOPLE WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE HAVE THEIR CONDITION UNDER CONTROL
If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure you can take action to improve your heart health!
The YMCA’s Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program is an evidence-based program that may lower blood pressure by providing participants with:
- Personalized support from a Healthy Heart Ambassador during Office Hour consultations
- Tips for maintaining cardiovascular health
- Heart healthy nutrition education
- Easy-to-use, portable self-tracking tool
- Blood pressure monitor to have and use at home, if needed
Contact Alison Bradow at or to learn more about how you can take action to improve your heart health and participate in the YMCA’s Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program.