NJ YMCA's PreventT2 Diabetes Prevention Program
Over 88 million American adults have prediabetes
That’s 1 in 3 adults!
And more than 8 in 10 adults don’t even know they have it.
The NJ YMCA’s State Alliance's PreventT2 Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) can help you build
healthy new habits that last a lifetime.
What is TYPE 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. Our body makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When you have type 2 diabetes, your body can’t use its own insulin efficiently. This causes sugar to build up in your blood. Type 2 diabetes can lead to health issues such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, or loss of toes, feet, or legs.
What is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a blood glucose (sugar) level that is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. One in three American adults has prediabetes, and most do not even know they have it. If you have prediabetes and do not lose weight or do moderate physical activity, you can develop type 2 diabetes within five years.
You Could be at Risk for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes if you are:
- 45 or older
- Overweight
- Have a family history of type 2 diabetes
- Physically active fewer than 3 times per week, or
- Ever had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes) or gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds
Take the Risk Test: https://www.cdc.gov/prediabetes/takethetest/
If you think you may be at risk, a health care provider can do a blood test to determine if you have diabetes or prediabetes.
Can I Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?
Yes! Hearing your doctor say, “You have prediabetes,” means that you can start preventing type 2 diabetes today. And you do not have to do it alone. Finding the YMCA’s PreventT2 Diabetes Prevention Program is your first step on that journey. This lifestyle change program can help you take charge of your health to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
What is the Diabetes Prevention Program?
The YMCA's PreventT2 Diabetes Prevention Program, sponsored by the Department of Health, is based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s curriculum. It is proven to help people with prediabetes prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes.
What is the Benefit of Enrolling in the YMCA’s PreventT2 Diabetes Prevention Program?
You will work with other participants and a trained lifestyle coach to learn the skills you need to make lasting changes. These changes include losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active (150 minutes per week), and managing stress. Being part of a group provides support from other people who are facing similar challenges. Together you can celebrate successes and find ways to overcome obstacles.
Your Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle CoachHas the experience and training to help you reach your goals including:
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Does the YMCA’s PreventT2 Diabetes Prevention Program Work?
The program can help people with prediabetes cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half. A research study showed that making modest behavior changes helped participants lose 5 to 7 percent of their body weight — that’s 10 to 14 pounds for a person weighing 200 pounds. It can also help to lower their A1C level. These lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent in people with prediabetes.
What is the Format of the Diabetes Prevention Program?
A total of 25 sessions are delivered over the course of one year. Participants meet weekly during the first six months and meet monthly for the remaining six months. The sessions are held at local YMCAs or community-based organizations in person or via Zoom. Participants receive bluetooth scales and activity trackers as incentives.
Program Eligibility:
To join the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, you must be:
- 18 years or older
- Not diagnosed with T1 or T2 diabetes
- Not currently pregnant
- Diagnosed with prediabetes through a blood test
- Previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes
- Receive high-risk results on prediabetes risk test
Program Costs:
Check with your employer or insurance carrier to determine if they cover the cost of attending one of the programs. Each local Y set the costs for the DPP program based on community funding. For more information, contact your preferred YMCA for program costs. It may even be free!
Referral Agencies Toolkit
For downloadable communication material for referral agencies, click here.
Find a Participating Y Below:
Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA:
Pamela Heaton, Diabetes Prevention Program Coordinator
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The Gateway Family YMCA: (Union County)
Paul Mickiewicz, Senior Director of Healthy Living
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The Garfield YMCA:
Marisa Barcia, Marketing and Group Wellness Director
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The Hopewell Valley YMCA: (Mercer County)
Daniel Williams, Senior Program Director
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The Lakeland Hills YMCA:
Anthony Shovlowsky, Fitness Director
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The Fanwood Scotch Plains YMCA:
Donna Peart, Director of Health and Fitness
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YMCA of Montclair:
Ann-Margaret Gutierrez, VP of Operations
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The Somerset County YMCA:
Lisa Pensabene, Group Exercise & Personal Training Director
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The YMCA of Greater Monmouth County:Terrel Wilson, Associate Membership Director
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More Information
For more information please contact: Suzanne Cornell, Director, NJ YMCA State Alliance, Strategic Partnerships and Engagement at Suzanne.cornell@yalliance.org
