Diabetes Prevention and Community Support Program
Enrolling NOW for English and Spanish evening and daytime classes, as well as both in-person and virtual options
The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program helps adults lower their risk for type 2 diabetes through healthy habits, support and education.
Our program is led by a trained Lifestyle Coach in a small group setting where participants learn together and support one another. You will learn how healthy eating, physical activity and simple lifestyle changes can improve your health.
This free program is available through grant-funding, so there's no cost for community members to join.
What Is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes.
Many people with prediabetes do not know they have it. Without healthy lifestyle changes, people with prediabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years.
Today, about 1 in 3 American adults has prediabetes.
What Is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a health condition that causes too much sugar to stay in your blood.
Your body uses a hormone called insulin to help move sugar into your cells for energy. With type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin the right way. Over time, blood sugar levels can become too high.
Diabetes can increase the risk of:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Vision loss
- Nerve damage
How Can I Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?
Small changes can make a big difference. In this program, you will learn how to:
- Eat healthier meals
- Be more active each day
- Build healthy habits that last
- Stay motivated with group support
Research funded by the National Institutes of Health showed this program helped lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 58% in adults. Adults age 60 and older lowered their risk by up to 71%.
Who Should Join the Diabetes Prevention Program?
The YMCA of Greensboro Diabetes Prevention Program may be right for adults who:
- Have prediabetes
- Have been told they are at risk for type 2 diabetes
- Want support building healthier habits
- Want to improve their overall health
To qualify for the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, participants must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Overweight (BMI>25, Asian adults, BMI>22)
- At high risk for developing type 2 diabetes or have been diagnosed with prediabetes.
Program Details
- The 12-month, 26-session, group-based program consists of one-hour, weekly sessions, followed by monthly sessions led by a trained Lifestyle Coach who facilitates a small group of people with similar goals.
- Participants explore how healthy eating, physical activity, and behavior changes can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
- The monthly maintenance sessions help participants stay motivated to maintain progress toward their goals.
Program Goals
Lose 7 percent of your body weight, and gradually increase your physical activity to 150 minutes per week. You will do this by learning strategies for:
- Healthy Eating: Eating smaller portions, reducing fat in your diet, and discovering healthier food options has been shown to help prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
- Increasing Physical Activity: Studies have repeatedly shown that moderate physical activity (walking, swimming, mowing the lawn) for as little as 30 minutes a day, five days a week can help improve your blood pressure, raise your good cholesterol and prevent blood flow problems.
- Losing Weight: It has been shown that reducing your body weight by even a small amount (as little as 5 to 7 percent) can offer tremendous benefits for people at risk for diabetes.
Enrollment
We are enrolling now for classes delivered virtually, in-person, and hybrid.
To learn more and enroll, contact our YMCA EBHI Program or call (336) 478-9622.