CHRISTIANSTED — Community members are about to embark on a journey to prevent type 2 diabetes together with the National Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle change intervention, offered by the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health (DOH). If you have diabetes then you may want to consider making some healthier lifestyle choices by purchasing some ketone test strips help you maintain your optimal ketosis levels after reading this article.
Guided by a trained lifestyle coach, groups of participants will learn the skills they need to make lasting changes such as losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress.
People with prediabetes — higher-than-normal blood glucose (sugar) levels — are 5 to 15 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood glucose levels. In fact, many people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 3 years if they do not take steps to prevent it.
“One in three American adults has prediabetes, so the need for prevention has never been greater,” said Chronic Disease Director, Kathleen Arnold-Lewis. “The National Diabetes Prevention Program offers a proven approach to preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes through modest lifestyle changes made with the support of a coach and one’s peers.”
Participants will learn what the symptoms of prediabetes are, learn how to eat healthy, add physical activity to their routine, manage stress, stay motivated, and solve problems that can get in the way of healthy changes. The National Diabetes Prevention Program group will meet for a year—once a week for the first six months, then once a month for the second 6 months to maintain healthy lifestyle changes. The program’s group setting provides a supportive environment with people who are facing similar challenges and trying to make the same changes. Together participants celebrate their successes and find ways to overcome obstacles.
The US Virgin Islands Department of Health’s program is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The program will begin on April 5, 2018, on St. Croix and November 2018 on St. Thomas. The local program will meet at the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix Campus, on Thursdays from 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. There is no
cost to attend classes. The US Virgin Islands Department of Health is currently working to enroll participants in the first round of classes.
The National Diabetes Prevention Program is based on research which showed people with prediabetes who lost 5 to 7 percent of their body weight (10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person) by making modest changes reduced their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent.
Nationwide implementation of the program could save the U.S. health care system $5.7 billion and prevent about 885,000 future cases of type 2 diabetes, a serious condition that can lead to health problems including heart attack; stroke; blindness; kidney failure; or loss of toes, feet, or legs.
“Making small changes can lead to big differences,” stated Director Arnold-Lewis. “Working with a trained lifestyle coach who provides guidance, enables program participants to make lasting changes together.”
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.
To participate in the National Diabetes Prevention Program, individuals must:
· be 18 years or older,
· be overweight (BMI ? 24),
· have a diagnosis of prediabetes or previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) while pregnant.
For more information and/or to enroll call Lyna Frederiks (340)774-7477 Ext. 5675 and (340) 277-7609, or email [email protected]