If you could make one investment that would reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, improve your health, and give you more time and energy for the people and activities you love, would you?
If you have or are at risk for prediabetes, there are steps you can take to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems while improving your health. Don’t wait. Take action today with reasonable, proven lifestyle changes.
What you don’t know can hurt you
Most people with prediabetes don’t have visible symptoms. So the first step is to find out if you are at risk.
- Are you 45 years old or older?
- Are you overweight?
- Are you physically active less than three times a week?
- Do you have a family history of type 2 diabetes?
If you answer yes to two or more questions, you might be at risk for prediabetes. Talk to your healthcare provider who may recommend a blood test for prediabetes. Only a blood test can confirm if you have prediabetes.
The clock is ticking, take the next step
If you have prediabetes we can help. Your next step is to enroll today in Valley’s Lifestyle Medicine Diabetes Prevention Program or through a local YMCA. These lifestyle change programs are part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s National Diabetes Prevention Program and are proven to work, lowering your risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can lead to other serious health conditions, including blindness, kidney failure, and loss of toes, feet or legs.
What you can expect
- Low to no cost. The program may even be free and is a covered benefit in many health plans and Medicare.
- This CDC-approved, science-based curriculum includes lessons, handouts, and other resources to help you make healthy changes.
- A lifestyle coach, specially trained to lead the program, will help you learn new skills, encourage you to set and meet goals, and keep you motivated. The coach will also facilitate discussions and help make the program fun and interesting.
- A support group of people with similar goals and challenges. Together, you can share ideas, celebrate successes, and work to overcome obstacles. In some programs, the participants stay in touch with each other during the week. It may be easier to make changes when you’re working as a group than doing it on your own.
- Sessions are weekly for the first four months, then every other week for two months, then monthly for the rest of the program—program length is one year.
Compare Diabetes Prevention Program Highlights at Valley and the YMCA
Valley’s Lifestyle Medicine is now taking names for those interested in the 2023 Diabetes Prevention Program. New groups are launched every three to four months. Interested? Call 425.690.3520.
Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.
