ARE YOU AT RISK OF HAVING DIABETES OR PREDIABETES??

Odds are you know at least one person with diabetes and the chances that you know one of the 86 million Americans with prediabetes is even greater. The thing is, only 9 million of the 86 million people with prediabetes know they have it.  15% to 30% of those people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented if caught in the stage of prediabetes. By developing and maintaining healthy lifestyle changes prediabetes can be reversed. 

Prediabetes is a condition in which individuals have high blood glucose or hemoglobin A1C levels but are not high enough to be classified as diabetes.  

Diabetes is a serious condition that causes blood sugar levels to rise higher than normal. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Currently, diabetes affects more than 29 million people. 

Prediabetes may be reversible, but diabetes has no cure, so it is that much more important to address this potentially life-altering disease as early as possible. 

If you have these risk factors, you may be at higher risk than others for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

• You are overweight.
• You are 45 years of age or older.
• Your parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes.
• You are physically active fewer than 3 times per week.
• Have you ever given birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds?
• Have you ever had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes)?

Race and ethnicity also affect your risk. African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and some Asian Americans are at particularly high risk for type 2 diabetes.?

IF any of these risk factors apply to you, please take the time out to take the CDC-recognized prediabetes screening test. 

Without early intervention for prediabetes, individuals can develop type 2 diabetes and increase their risk of developing serious health issues such as: 

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Blindness
• Kidney failure
• Loss of toes, feet, or legs

To help prevent any further complications with prediabetes and diabetes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched the National Diabetes Prevention Program. 

The National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)  is ultimately a lifestyle change program that provides an environment where individuals can learn, laugh, share stories, try new things, and build new habits—all while lowering their risk of type 2 diabetes and improving their health.

How it works:

• The 12-month group-based program consists of six months of weekly sessions, followed by six monthly sessions led by a trained lifestyle coach who facilitates a small group of people with similar goals.
   
• Discuss topics such as
  • Healthy eating - Eating smaller portions, reducing fat in your diet, and discovering healthier food options
  • Increasing physical activity - Brainstorm strategies on how to get 30 minutes of exercise in at least 5 times a week
  • Losing weight - The goal of the program is to help participants lose 7% of their body weight.
     
• Stay motivated to maintain progress towards program goals with monthly maintenance sessions.

To register for a National DPP in Baltimore please contact one of the programs below and they will provide additional information on start dates, times, and locations. 

Novu Diabetes Prevention Program

For additional information and resources related to diabetes, prediabetes, and the National Diabetes Prevention Program please visit the following sites: 

CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program 

About Diabetes and Prediabetes

CDC recognized prediabetes screening 

Baltimore City Health Departments prediabetes flyer.pdf

Diabetes Prevention Locations.pdf