Lower your risk for developing type 2 diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes blood sugar levels to rise higher than normal—and it affects more than 29 million people in America. A condition called prediabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. More than 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk of developing diabetes.
Diabetes has no cure, but prediabetes can be reversed—and that’s what the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program strives to do.
If you are 18 years or older and have been diagnosed with prediabetes, or are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, you can take control to change your life by participating in the Diabetes Prevention Program—Y members and non-members are welcome.
What the program includes
- A trained lifestyle coach meets regularly with a small group of 10-15 participants
- Your group will learn about healthier eating, physical activity and behavior changes
- You will set individual goals and receive tools to help you make small, sustainable lifestyle changes—the program is designed to meet you where you are
- Weigh-ins are a part of each meeting, and are done in private
Expected commitment
- All group members are expected to commit to the program, foster a supportive group environment and be accountable—to your coach, your group and yourself
- The program meets 25 times over the course of one year:
- Starting with 16 consecutive weekly meetings
- Moving into maintenance sessions every-other week for six weeks
- Progressing to monthly maintenance meetings for six months
What you can achieve
Program participants have seen results like:
- Weight loss
- Improved blood pressure
- Improved total cholesterol
- Improved overall health
- Reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes
Cost to participate
- The year-long program costs $429
- Some insurance providers cover the program—call 1-800-237-4942 to see if your insurance provider participates
- Financial assistance is available to those who qualify
How to get started
If you’d like to learn more, or are interested in participating in the program, contact the Diabetes Prevention Program team at 612-230-3487.
Classes are formed once enough people have expressed interest in participating. New classes start throughout the year and around the metro—most meetings are at YMCA locations, however some programs run out of clinics or meet at a workplace.