Preventing Type 2 Diabetes
6/9/2017
One in three American adults has prediabetes. People with prediabetes have a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, a serious disease. Many people with prediabetes who do not lose weight or do moderate physical activity can develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years.
The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be prevented. The PreventT2 lifestyle change program, offered by Crestwood Medical Center can help. PreventT2 is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and is proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
In PreventT2, participants will work in a group with a trained lifestyle coach to learn the skills needed to make lasting changes. These include losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress. Participants will learn to eat healthy, add physical activity to life, stay motivated, and solve problems that can get in the way of healthy changes.
“If you have prediabetes,” said Kayla Dahl, Crestwood Outpatient & Wellness Dietitian, “PreventT2 offers a real chance to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by helping you adopt a healthier lifestyle.”
PreventT2 group will meet for a year — weekly for the first 6 months, then once or twice a month for the second 6 months to maintain healthy lifestyle changes. Most participants enjoy the group support and find it makes lifestyle change easier. The PreventT2 program is based on research that found people with prediabetes can cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half by losing 5 to 7 percent of their body weight. That is about 10 to 14 pounds for a person weighing 200 pounds.
“Small changes make a big difference,” added Dahl. “With a trained lifestyle coach as a guide, you can work with others who have prediabetes to make a change for life.”
People are more likely to have prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if they:
- Are 45 years of age or older;
- Are overweight;
- Have a family history of type 2 diabetes;
- Are physically active fewer than three times per week; or
- Have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy or gave birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds.
Those interested in learning more about this program are invited to attend a free information session on June 27 at 5:30 pm or June 28 at 11:00 am at the Crestwood Women’s Center located at 185 Chateau Drive (on the Crestwood campus). For more information and to reserve space, please contact Kayla Dahl at (256) 429-4943 or email at kayla.dahl@crestwoodmedcenter.com
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