Suffolk County Offers Free Diabetes Prevention Program to Coincide with National Diabetes Month
Making modest changes in lifestyle may reduce the risk of developing type
2 diabetes by 58 percent.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Health Services
Commissioner Dr. James Tomarken invite residents who are at risk for
developing type 2 diabetes to participate in the Suffolk County Department of
Health Services’ National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). The program, which
has proven to reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes significantly, is free of
charge to Suffolk County residents who meet criteria.
“We seek to reverse in Suffolk County the nationwide trend
toward increased rates of diabetes. This program addresses the behaviors that
contribute to diabetes, a disease that exacts enormous costs to the individual,
the family and the community,” said Executive Bellone.
“Diabetes puts people at risk for many serious health
conditions,” said Dr. Tomarken. “The good news is that individuals can reduce
their risk of developing type 2 diabetes with minor lifestyle changes.”
The National Diabetes Prevention Program is based on a
research study led by the National Institutes of Health. The DPP showed that
people at risk for developing diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of
diabetes by losing a modest amount of weight through diet and exercise. DPP
participants in the lifestyle intervention group reduced their risk of
developing diabetes by 58 percent during the study. Lifestyle changes worked
particularly well for participants aged 60 and older, reducing their risk by 71
percent.
According to the American Diabetes
Association, those at risk for diabetes include adults who are overweight or
obese and have one or more additional risk factors for diabetes. Risk factors
for prediabetes and diabetes -- in addition to being overweight or obese or
being age 45 or older --include the following:
- being physically inactive
- having a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
- having a family background that is African American,
Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, or
Pacific Islander
- giving birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds or
being diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy
- having high blood pressure or being treated for high
blood pressure
- having HDL, or "good," cholesterol below 35
mg/dL, or a triglyceride level above 250 mg/dL
- having polycystic ovary syndrome, also called PCOS
- having impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired
glucose tolerance (IGT) on previous testing
- having other conditions associated with insulin
resistance
- having a history of cardiovascular disease
The Diabetes Prevention Program
meets one hour per week for 16 weeks, followed by at least six monthly
follow-up sessions. The sessions cover healthy eating, physical activity, and
lifestyle changes to help participants achieve the goals that lead to the
prevention or delay of a diabetes diagnosis. Participants work with a trained
lifestyle coach in a group setting.
Pre-registration for the Diabetes Prevention Program is
required. Registration remains open for each class until the second session.
Wednesdays
Dates: November 29, December 6, 13, 20; January 3, 10, 17,
24, 31; February 7, 14, 21, 28; March 7, 14, 2017
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location: HRHCare Health Center at Riverhead
300 Center Dr. South, Riverhead, NY 11901
Contact: Janis 631-853-3187 to reserve your seat
For more information visit our website: http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/HealthServices/PreventiveMedicine/OfficeofHealthEducation/DiabetesPreventionProgram.aspx
or call the Suffolk County Office of
Health Education at 631-853-3162.
Follow
us
suffolkcountyny.gov
Facebook.com/SuffolkCountyHealth
Twitter.com/SuffolkCoHealth