What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes is diagnosed when blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to meet the criteria for a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Prediabetes is a condition that affects 1 in 3 Americans and can lead to heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes. Some populations have an increased risk for prediabetes, including those who are 65 years or older, have a family history of prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes, are overweight, are not getting regular physical activity, and are of Hispanic/Latino, African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander ethnicities.
Why should I care about prediabetes?
Those diagnosed with prediabetes are at higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes can be reversible, and Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed. The good news is that changes to your diet and activity level can make all the difference. Taking action should not be delayed. You have important reasons to stay healthy: your family, your grandkids, your favorite pastimes, and yourself. Don’t let the “pre” in prediabetes fool you. Prediabetes is serious and serves as your wake-up call to take action to prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes.
How do I know if I have prediabetes?
Finding out if you are at risk for prediabetes is quick and easy. Take the one-minute, online Risk Test at cdc.gov/prediabetes/takethetest. By answering a few simple questions about your health – such as whether you have a family history of diabetes and how physically active you are – you can learn if you’re at risk in just 60 seconds. It’s simple. It’s free. And, it can help you live a healthier life. If your Risk Test results indicate you’re at risk for prediabetes, schedule an appointment with your doctor. A doctor can confirm whether you have prediabetes with a simple blood-based test.
What is the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)?
The DPP is a year-long, lifestyle change program that uses the CDC approved curriculum. The program is evidence-based and provides the support needed to lead a healthier life. In the program, participants work as a group with a trained lifestyle coach who teaches the skills needed to lose weight, eat healthy, become more physically active, and manage stress. Participants learn how to incorporate favorite foods into a healthy eating plan. They will also learn optimal ways to get moving given a person’s age, fitness level, and environment. You will join a community of like-minded individuals as they journey together to make healthier choices. Change is never easy, so the program offers plenty of support from fellow participants in-person, online, or over the phone. Research shows that people with prediabetes who take part in a structured lifestyle change program can cut their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 58-71%.
To learn more about prediabetes classes in northern Colorado and if you qualify for the Diabetes Prevention Program, call Teresa at 970.495.8777 for more information, or to register. Medicare covers the Diabetes Prevention Program under Parts B or C (Medicare Advantage) as a once-in-a-lifetime benefit. Payment options: Medicare; UCHealth employees and beneficiaries enrolled in UCHealth Anthem medical plan; self-pay; HSA & FSA qualified medical expense.
