Diabetes Prevention Program Being Offered In 2020 – Cheshire Herald

Starting this month, Chesprocott Health District will be offering a year-long program to prevent type 2 diabetes. The PreventT2 lifestyle change program offered by Chesprocott is a nationally recognized diabetes prevention program with proven results if participants join and finish the program.

Those who take part will learn how to eat healthy, add more physical activity to existing routines, manage stress, stay motivated, and solve problems that may get in the way of making changes. The meetings will be held in a group setting to provide a very supportive environment where one can learn coping skills that will help when dealing with the challenges of making changes to lifestyle.

The group will celebrate successes and find ways to overcome obstacles. The program will be presented by locally-trained lifestyle coaches. Participants will learn the skills needed to make lasting changes such as losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress. The 12-month commitment works as such: weekly for the first six months, then once or twice a month for the second six months to maintain healthy lifestyle changes and needed support.

One in three American adults has prediabetes and doesnt know it, said Director of Health Maura Esposito. The PreventT2 program is not a new program. Its been around and proven to be effective. We decided to bring this to our residents as we have seen obesity increasing and lack of exercise has been identified as a need of this community.

Modest lifestyle changes made with the support of a coach and ones peers can have a lasting impression of improved health. People with prediabetes (higher-than-normal blood glucose) are five to 15 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood glucose levels. In fact, many people with prediabetes will be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within five years.

If not managed, high blood sugar can lead to many health problems including: heart disease or a stroke; damaged kidneys that may require dialysis or a kidney replacement; eye blood vessels can be damaged, leading to blindness; blood circulation that doesnt work as well and wounds that dont heal as fast or become infected easier; sleep apnea; hearing problems; and increased risk for developing Alzheimers Disease.

There are too many health complications due to type 2 diabetes, so, if you think you are overweight, have been told by your doctor to lose weight and increase exercise, and want the support to make these changes, consider this program.

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Diabetes Prevention Program Being Offered In 2020 - Cheshire Herald