Diabetes Prevention Classes Forming Now

BENNINGTON, Vt. — Type 2 diabetes is a serious disease that causes painful and debilitating complications like nerve damage, kidney disease and eye problems, to name a few. And once someone has diabetes, it doesn’t go away. They have to manage it for the rest of their life.

But the most common type of diabetes — Type 2 — can sometimes be prevented. The Diabetes Education department at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, Vermont Blueprint for Health, and the YMCA have teamed up to provide the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program locally. Classes are forming now.

The YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program is based on research by the National Institute of Health and is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program led by the Centers for Disease Control. It helps those with prediabetes understand how the disease works and encourages them to make important life changes. Participants will learn many tips for eating healthier and exercising more. Both lead to greater success with weight management, the leading risk factor for diabetes. Each workshop consists of 16 one-hour weekly core sessions followed by eight one-hour-long monthly sessions over one year.

Those who are 18 or older and overweight should ask their primary care provider for a blood test that can help determine if they have diabetes or prediabetes. Those who have prediabetes are eligible to participate. Other classes and counseling are available for those who have diabetes. Those interested should ask their provider to connect them with a diabetes educator or call Kathy Dockum at 802-440-4098 to learn more.

SVMC Wellness Connection: April 12

08:58AM / Tuesday, April 16, 2024

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