[This article was written by Katie Cameron, MPH, BSW, site coordinator for St. Peter’s Diabetes & Endocrine Care, Diabetes Education Program.]
According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 4 young adults (24 percent) and close to 1 in 5 adolescents (18 percent) have prediabetes. Traditionally an issue for adults, the rise in prediabetes diagnoses among youth is an alarming trend.
Having prediabetes means your blood glucose (sugar) level is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Without weight loss or moderate physical activity, many people with prediabetes can develop Type 2 diabetes within five years. Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to health issues such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, or kidney failure.
But, how do you know if you have prediabetes? A good place to start is to take the CDC’s self-assessment quiz at http://www.sphp.com/dpp.
If you, or an adolescent or adult you love, scored a five or greater on the quiz, or have previously been diagnosed with prediabetes by your physician, you are eligible to participate in a free diabetes prevention program sponsored by St. Peter’s Diabetes & Endocrine Care.
Our “PreventT2” lifestyle change program will help you make lasting changes to prevent Type 2 diabetes. The program, which meets weekly for 16 weeks, then bi-weekly, and then monthly, offers participants:
- A CDC-approved curriculum
- The skills you need to lose weight, be more physically active, and manage stress
- A certified diabetes education/trained lifestyle coach to guide and encourage you
- Support from other participants with the same goals as you
- Follow-up meetings to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle
Diet and exercise with weight loss are proven preventive measures against the development of Type 2 diabetes. St. Peter’s Diabetes & Endocrine Care can help you on your journey to take control of your health.
To register online, visit http://www.sphp.com/dpp. For questions, contact Katie Cameron at 518-447-3548 or email Katie.Cameron@sphp.com.
Upcoming Programs
Wednesday, March 11
Samaritan Hospital – Albany Memorial Campus
600 Northern Blvd., Albany
10 to 11 a.m.Wednesday, March 11
Samaritan Hospital – Albany Memorial Campus
600 Northern Blvd., Albany
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
