American Diabetes Association (ADA) Alert Day®

You Can’t Afford to Ignore Prediabete

Tuesday, March 28, is American Diabetes Association (ADA) Alert Day®, and the MetroWest YMCA wants MetroWest residents to know their risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, as well as preventive steps they can take today to reduce the chances of developing the disease.

In the United States alone, diabetes affects nearly 29 million people; another 86 million Americans have prediabetes, yet only about 10 percent are aware of it. These statistics are alarming, and the impact on the cost of health care (in 2012 alone, the ADA estimates that diabetes cost the health care system $245 billion) makes preventing the number of new cases of type 2 diabetes more important than ever before.

The nation’s struggle with obesity and type 2 diabetes is no surprise but the number of people with prediabetes is a growing issue, especially when so few people realize they have the condition. 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. Often preventable, people with prediabetes can reduce their risk for developing type 2 diabetes by adopting behavior changes that include eating healthier and increasing physical activity. People with prediabetes are at risk for not only developing type 2 diabetes, but also cardiovascular disease, stroke and other conditions.

As the leading community-based network committed to improving the nation’s health the MetroWest YMCA encourages all adults to take a diabetes risk test at www.ymca.net/diabetes. Several factors that could put a person at risk for type 2 diabetes include family history, age, weight and activity level, among others.

The MetroWest YMCA is helping people make healthier choices that can help reduce the risk of developing prediabetes or type 2 diabetes by offering the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, small group training programs and many group exercise classes.

Some basic lifestyle changes that contribute to weight loss and an increased focus on healthy living can decrease the risk for type 2 diabetes. Among these are:

• Reduce portion sizes of the foods you eat that may be high in fat or calories.
• Keep a food diary to increase awareness of eating patterns and behaviors.
• Be moderately active at least 30 minutes per day five days a week.
• Choose water to drink instead of beverages with added sugar.
• Incorporate more activity in your day, like taking the stairs or parking farther away from your destination.
• Speak to your doctor about your diabetes risk factors, especially if you have a family history of the disease or are overweight.

SPRING INTO ACTION FOR DIABETES PREVENTION WITH YMCA’S DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM

What is it?The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is an evidence-based, small group educa-tion program that helps adults at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes reduce their risk for developing the disease by taking steps that will improve their health and well-being. Program goals are a reduction in body weight of 7% and an increase to 150 min per week of physical activity.

Who benefits?Individuals at risk who have been diagnosed with prediabetes through a blood test or qualifying risk score based on combination of risk factors.The program is one year long and begins with 1 hour weekly sessions that transition into monthly sessions. Membership is not required and program registration includes a 3 monthClasses starting this spring: Mondays 10am-12pm time frame, Saturdays 10am-12pm time frame. Each class is one hour and space is limited.

To learn more about the MetroWest YMCA’s Healthy Living Programs, please visit www.metrowestymca.org or contact Laura Gilbert at 508-879-4420 ext.32 or lgilbert@metrowestymca.org