YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program receives boost from Walmart

SOUTHINGTON – In the past, when individuals began and completed the 12-week Southington YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program, they each received glucose and blood pressure monitoring to gauge improvement. Participants beginning the fourth series of classes recently underwent A1C testing – a more thorough blood screening used in the diagnosis and management of diabetes.

The A1C test was funded through a $1,500 community grant from Walmart in Southington. Walmart strives to help its customers and the community, and this program was a perfect match to further that mission, said Nora Threlfall, store manager, at the check presentation held April 2 at the Southington YMCA Mind, Body and Spirit Center, located at 130 N. Main St.

Since September, nearly 60 people have completed the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program that combines 30 minutes of exercise and health education with Hartford HealthCare medical professionals to thwart diabetes and improve overall health. Southington residents Nicholas and Jeanne Scarfo, who have been married for 64 years, attended the first series of classes after learning about it at the YMCA where they participate in Silver Sneakers, chair yoga and exercise.

Thanks to the education and encouragement, “We both started eating better, especially vegetables, which I was not a fan of,” said Nick. In January he had his annual blood work done. “The results for my blood sugar were so good, my physician took me off my medication completely,” he recalled. “Signing up for this was the best thing I ever did,” he said, noting they both have so much more energy that they recently walked three miles at a mall.

This collaborative health initiative was funded through a grant from the Bradley H. Barnes and Leila U. Barnes Memorial Trust of the Main Street Community Foundation. “We are very pleased that we could support a program that is improving the health outcome of Southington residents,” said Susan Sadecki, president and CEO of the Main Street Community Foundation, who attended the check presentation.

Hartford HealthCare supports the program by providing educators including registered dietitians, advanced practice registered nurses, and pharmacists who have presented on topics including healthy cooking, medication and cardiovascular risk associated with diabetes. Participants share accountability and track their food intake using food journals. The goal is to bring out the physical best in all participants and provide group support in a friendly, non-threatening environment.

“This is a true collaboration: the Y, Hartford HealthCare, Main Street Community Foundation, and now, Walmart, all with a similar goal in mind - improving the overall health of our community. These are the type of partnerships that really have impact and make Southington a great place to live,” stated Mark Pooler, CEO, Southington-Cheshire Community YMCAs.

Program participants should be 18 years old and older and meet at least one or more of the following criteria: are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes; are overweight (BMI>25); or have had a blood test result in the pre-diabetes range during the past year.

The Diabetes Prevention Program will next be offered in the fall. For more information, call the Southington Community YMCA at 860.628.5597 or stop by the 29 High St. location.

Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA and Hartford HealthCare are both not for profits that serve the Southington community through healthy initiatives. For more information about Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA, visit www.sccymca.org. For more information about Hartford HealthCare, visit www.hartfordhealthcare.org.