YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program

The YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program is a lifestyle modification program based on the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and based on study results from the National Institutes of Health. Study results showed that lifestyle programs improving healthy eating and physical activity habits decreased body weight by five to seven percent and reduced the incidence of diabetes among those at risk for the disease by 58 percent.

The YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program, is a year-long program with 16 one-hour classroom sessions and monthly maintenance. A trained lifestyle coach helps participants learn strategies for healthy eating, physical activity and other lifestyle changes.

After the initial 16 sessions, participants meet monthly for up to a year for additional support to help them maintain their progress with the ultimate goal of reducing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The goal is for participants to lose seven percent of their body weight and increase their physical activity to 150 minutes per week in order to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Since implementation, 168 individuals have enrolled in the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program at various YMCA branches, which have offered 25 classes to date. These participants have attended an average of 11 out of 16 core sessions.

Below are class participation statistics since August 2010*:

Those who have completed one full program year: 72
Those who have completed the Core 16 sessions: 138
Those participating in Maintenance Classes: 10
Number of current classes: 5
Number of current participants: 30

*These numbers change on a quarterly basis.