In the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program a trained lifestyle coach facilitates a small group of adults to discuss behavior changes that can improve the health of participants. The program consists of 25 one-hour sessions delivered over the course of a year.
Program Goals
- Lose 5–7% of your body weight
- Gradually increase your physical activity to 150 minutes per week.
Participants do this through:
- Healthy Eating – Eating smaller portions, reducing fat in your diet and discovering healthier foods can help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes Opens a new window.
- Increasing Physical Activity – Moderate physical activity (walking, swimming, mowing the lawn) for as little as 30 minutes, five days a week, can help improve your blood pressure, raise your good cholesterol and prevent blood flow problems Opens a new window.
- Losing Weight – Reducing your body weight by as little as 5–7% can offer tremendous benefits for people at risk for diabetes Opens a new window.
Research has shown that YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program can reduce the number of new cases of type 2 diabetes by as much as 58% and by 71% among adults aged 60 years or older.
THE Y CAN HELP
If you are at risk for developing diabetes, YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program can help. Find out if a Y near you runs the program.
