Diabetes Prevention Landing Page

Meadville Family YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program

Forming healthy habits can be hard without a support system. We’re here to give you the encouragement you need to eat better, increase your physical activity and lose weight — all of which can delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Learn more about our Diabetes Prevention Program, available at more than 200 Ys across the country.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes blood sugar levels to rise higher than normal. It affects more than 37 million people in the U.S., and 1 in 4 don’t even know they have it. Although diabetes has no cure, prediabetes can be reversed. It’s important to know if you have prediabetes so you can prevent it from escalating. Chances are you know at least one person with diabetes or prediabetes. Take this quick test offered by the CDC, then share the test with friends and family so they can assess their risk

DIABETES BY THE NUMBERS

29 MILLION

96 MILLION

Americans have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

People in the U.S. have prediabetes—but 8 out of 10 of them do not know they have it.

8TH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH

2 TIMES

Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States.

Diabetes disproportionately affects Black and Latino people. Due to systemic health inequities, they are nearly two times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes.

4.6 FEWER YEARS

2.3 TIMES

Adults 50 or older with diabetes die 4.6 years earlier.

Medical expenses for people with diabetes are 2.3 times greater than those without.

One of the most important takeaways I learned was portion control and building a healthy balanced meal. Eating the correct amount of each food group and limit potion size to balance the intake of starchy (grains), non-starchy (veggies), proteins (meats, fish and nuts), dairy (milk and cheese) and not eating too much of any one food group. I now find myself evaluating what foods I eat and how much, which equated to losing a few extra pounds, having more energy and staying active. The class was beneficial due to the support of each other in our efforts, as well as having an awesome coach who genuinely cares about our journey, and the empowerment to take control of our own health.

I learned that eating healthy is not a diet. Good eating habits and exercise are the keys to my success. Eating unhealthy foods in moderation is and still can be acceptable and doesn’t destroy your progress.

The Good News

If you believe you are at risk for developing diabetes, there is something you can do about it. People with prediabetes who make the kinds of basic lifestyle changes the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program suggests—modest weight loss, eating healthy and regular physical activity—have been shown to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The Meadville Family YMCA has run and is running CDC accredited programs with many community members successfully participating in our local Y program. We are excited to bring the program back to our community.

How You Can Be Part Of the Program

The Y offers the program in a variety of ways to allow you to be successful. Options for Getting Started:

Register as a Single Participant- Meet one-on-one with Tammy throughout the program
Register as a Group/Team- Gather Friends, Family, Co-Workers and register as a group.
Corporate Registration- Talk with your Human Resource department or our CEO to get your company to host the program. Tammy will come to your workplace and host the information meetings and weight ins.

Email at [email protected] to ask questions or to get registered.

How Do You Know You will be Successful

Tammy has successfully hosted a Corporate Session with Acutec and a Virtual Corporate Session with an Acutec Branch in South Carolina. During this time 12 people successfully finished the program with 165 pounds lost. They learned more about themselves and how to prioritize a healthy lifestyle. Tammy is currently hosting 5 individuals and another Corporate Session with Acutec.

Here are what a few participants had to say:

“I’ve always loved food, and I never paid much attention to what I ate before my father had type 2 diabetes, and he passed away. I started noticing tingling in my hands and tingling in my feet and started thinking I might be getting type 2 diabetes. I needed to make a change. My favorite thing about DPP was participants were very similar to me. My coach was awesome sending me emails telling me I was doing well. If I had a question, she would always respond. I was pretty much your standard couch potato before the program and now my wife and I go walking every day, sometimes as much as 2 1/2 miles. I feel a lot better; I sleep better and I'm more confident. “

"After the death of my mother and a diagnosis of prediabetes, I was motivated to make healthy changes in my life to prevent type 2 diabetes. I was overweight and had high cholesterol, high glucose levels, and poor eating habits. I joined the diabetes prevention program to take control of my life. During the program I was surprised to see how happy I was about making healthy choices, and how much I enjoyed learning from the group. I am now exercising regularly and learning strategies to cope with my emotional eating habits.”

The Y Can Help

We look forward if you find out that you or someone you know is at risk for developing diabetes, our YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) can help. Please call or email Tammy at [email protected] /814-336-2196 to find out when our next informational session or next program start date is scheduled. Tammy is our DPP Coach. Tammy earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics followed with a certification by NASM as a Nutrition Coach. Most recently she completed a certification with the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists as a Lifestyle Coach.We look forward to answering your questions and empowering you to take control of your health.

For Health Professionals

Allow our program to help you help your patients. Based on research from the National Institutes of Health, programs like YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program reduces new cases of type 2 diabetes by 58% overall and 71% in individuals over age 60.

Our year-long program engages participants in 25 sessions and focuses on small, measurable lifestyle goals. With group support and instruction from Lifestyle Coaches, participants learn how to incorporate healthier eating, physical activity, problem-solving and coping skills into their daily lives. The curriculum is CDC-approved and is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program.

For health professionals referring a patient is simple: please contact [email protected] to receive a packet with further information and patient referral form.