YMCA of Central Florida encourages the Central Florida community to learn the risks and factors for developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Orlando, FL, March 17, 2016 ‒ March 22 is American Diabetes Association Alert Day and with millions of Americans at risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, the YMCA of Central Florida urges residents of the Central Florida community to learn their risk and take action to prevent the disease. Currently, diabetes affects nearly 29 million people; another 86 million Americans have prediabetes, yet only about 10 percent are aware of it.
Prediabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood glucose (sugar) levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with prediabetes are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Understanding your risk is the first step in preventing diabetes. Several factors including family history, age, weight, and physical activity level can contribute to developing type 2 diabetes. Learn your risk for type 2 diabetes by taking the diabetes risk test at ymca.net/diabetes.
Diabetes Alert Day is the perfect time to not only determine our own risk for prediabetes, but also encourage our family and friends to determine their chances 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.
For those at risk for diabetes, the next step is to make the necessary changes to help prevent the disease. Programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program can help. Facilitated by a trained Lifestyle Coach, the yearlong program provides a supportive environment where participants work together in a small group to learn about behavior changes that can improve overall health. The goal of the program is to help adults at risk for diabetes reduce their body weight by 5 to 7 percent and increase their physical activity to 150 minutes per week. Studies have shown that programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program can prevent or delay new cases of type 2 diabetes in adults by 58 percent and by as much as 71 percent in those over age 60.
1,072 have improved their health through the program at the YMCA of Central Florida. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program uses a CDC-approved curriculum and is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program. The program is available at more than 1,400 sites in 44 states.
To learn more about the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, please contact the Diabetes Prevention Program Office at 407-644-3606 x255 AND/OR [email protected].