DIABETES ALERT DAY

Working Together to Help One Million More Americans Know Their Risk for Type 2 Diabetes on American Diabetes Association Alert Day®

Tuesday, March 24, is American Diabetes Association Alert Day, and the MetroWest YMCA wants residents in our community 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 and another 86 million Americans have prediabetes, yet only about 9 million are aware of it. These statistics are alarming, and the impact on the cost of health care and the overall well-being of our communities 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 only 10 percent realize they have the condition. Pre-diabetes is an often preventable 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 can reduce their risk for developing type 2 diabetes by adopting behavior changes that include eating healthier, increasing physical activity, and losing a modest amount of weight. People with prediabetes are at risk for not only developing type 2 diabetes, but also heart disease, stroke and other conditions.

As community partner dedicated to improving health and well-being of MetroWest residents, the MetroWest YMCA encourages all adults to learn their risk for type 2 diabetes by taking a 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.

Diabetes Alert Day, on Tuesday March 24th, is the perfect time to not only determine our own risk, but also encourage our family and friends to determine their chance of developing the disease. Studies show that people with prediabetes can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by making simple lifestyle changes that include eating healthier and increasing physical activity.

DIABETES ALERT DAY

Date: March 24, 2015
Location: MetroWest YMCA, 280 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham

Time: 7am-7pm

Who this is for: Adults 18+ who are interested in learning more about Diabetes Prevention
What to expect: Free pre-diabetes screening, information on the program, healthy lifestyle tips and a free week-long guest pass to the MetroWest YMCA.

To learn more about the MetroWest YMCA’s Healthy Living programs, please visit www.metrowestymca.org or contact Tom Black, Senior Program Director at 508-879-4420 x39 tblack@metrowestymca.org