March 24 is American Diabetes Association Alert Day, and with millions of Americans at risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, the Valparaiso Family YMCA urges residents of Valparaiso to learn their risk and take action to prevent the disease. Currently, diabetes affects nearly 29 million people and another 86 million Americans have prediabetes, yet only about 9 million 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.
The Y knows that the best way to reduce new cases of type 2 diabetes is to prevent them and awareness is the first step to prevention. With only 10 percent of the 86 million Americans aware of their condition, the Valparaiso Family YMCA understands that it will take everyone working together to increase this number. The Valpo Y is joining Ys across the country, and other national organizations committed to addressing the diabetes epidemic, in an effort to help one million more Americans learn their risk for type 2 diabetes. Several factors including family history, age, weight, and physical activity level can contribute to your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
The Diabetes Prevention Program at the Valpo Y started this March. The goals of the program are 7 percent weight loss and an increase in physical activity to 150 minutes per week. To be eligible for this program, participants must be at least 18 years old with a BMI of 25 or greater and at risk for developing type 2 diabetes or have been diagnosed with prediabetes. Youth under the age of 18 and persons diagnosed with diabetes do not qualify. A Y membership is not required for participation.
The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance, and other national organizations committed to preventing chronic disease. For more information about this program, and to see if you qualify visit www.valpoymca.org or contact Lee Baker at 219 462 4185 x 260.
