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Local Voices

American Diabetes Association Alert Day


Know Your Risks and Options

Tuesday, March 25, is American Diabetes Association Alert Day. The YMCA of Metro Atlanta wants residents to know their risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, along with preventive steps they can take today to reduce the chances of developing the disease.

In the United States, 79 million people have prediabetes and 26 million people suffer from diabetes. These statistics are alarming, and the impact on the cost of health care and the overall well-being of our communities makes preventing new cases of type 2 diabetes more important than ever before. 

As a leading voice on improving the nation’s health and well-being, the YMCA encourages all adults to learn their vulnerability for type 2 diabetes by taking a risk assessment at www.diabetes.org/risktest. Factors that could put a person at risk for type 2 diabetes include family history, age, weight, and activity level, among others.

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“Learning your risk for prediabetes and making lifestyles changes is easy to say, but oftentimes hard to do” said Linda Vaughn, director of wellness initiatives at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. “The good news is you don’t have to do this alone. Local Ys have classes and support from specially-trained wellness staff to help adults with diabetes, prediabetes or risk factors that may lead to chronic health issues.” 

The Y’s Diabetes Prevention Program provides a supportive environment where an individual with prediabetes can work with others in a small group to adopt healthy habits to reduce their chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

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The Y also offers a workshop series for adults already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It offers ways people can live healthier with the disease. The workshop helps participants to understand how to eat while still making it enjoyable, monitor and manage blood sugar, start or maintain a regular exercise program, and more.

To learn more about the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, contact Linda Vaughn at 404-527-7690 or preventdiabetes@ymcaatlanta.org. For information about the type 2 diabetes program, Better Choices, Better Health, contact Jennifer Rewkowski at 866-202-1926 or jenniferr@ymcaatlanta.org. Visit www.ymcaatlanta.org.

 

Some lifestyle changes that contribute to weight loss and an increased focus on healthy living can decrease the risk for type 2 diabetes. Among these are:

· Eat fruits and vegetables every day.

· Choose fish, lean meats and poultry without skin.

· Aim for whole grains with every meal.

· Be moderately active at least 30 minutes per day five days a week.

· Choose water to drink instead of beverages with added sugar.

· Speak to your doctor about your diabetes risk factors, especially if you have a family history of the disease or are overweight. 

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