AUGUST 24, 2002
Approximately 96 million Americans adults have prediabetes, which is defined as higher-than-normal blood glucose (sugar) levels. Without intervention, these individuals are up to 30 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood glucose levels. Once diagnosed, type 2 diabetes is difficult to manage without insulin, increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, and often leads to kidney failure, blindness, and loss of a toe, foot, or leg. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with diabetes spend more on healthcare, have fewer productive years, and miss more workdays than those without diabetes.
However, those with prediabetes can reverse the trend with the PreventT2 Lifestyle Change Program offered by the McLean County Health Department (MCHD). Guided by a trained lifestyle coach, group participants learn the skills to make lasting changes: losing a modest amount of weight; becoming more physically active; making better food and beverage choices; and managing stress.
“One in three American adults has prediabetes, so the need for prevention has never been greater,” said Kim Anderson, MCHD Director of Maternal Child Health Services. “The PreventT2 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.”
The PreventT2 program is free for McLean County residents. Participants must qualify for the program, then commit to a one-year schedule – meeting weekly for the first six months, then once or twice a month for the second six months. Participants will meet at the McLean County Health Department located at 200 W. Front Street in downtown Bloomington. The group setting provides a supportive environment for those facing similar challenges. The lifestyle coach helps motivate participants to achieve modest goals.
Want to learn more? MCHD is holding an introductory session (also known as Session Zero) to answer questions about what to expect and to help potential participants determine their readiness to participate. Choose from one of the following sessions:
- Wed, August 31st from 5-6 pm at MCHD Room 324 (3rd floor)
- Or Wed, September 14th from 5-6 pm at MCHD Room 324 (3rd floor)
PreventT2 is part of the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program, which is based on research that showed people with prediabetes who lost 5 to 7 percent of their body weight (10-14 pounds for someone weighing 200 pounds) reduced their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent! You are more likely to have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes if you: 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; have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy or gave birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds; or you are African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Pacific Islander, or Asian American.
“Small lifestyle changes can add up to a big difference,” added Tyanna Powell, PreventT2 lifestyle coach. “Most people develop unhealthy habits over time, so it will take time to develop healthier habits. But it can be done, and PreventT2 participants make those lasting changes together.”
To qualify, you MUST meet ALL of the following:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher (23 or higher if Asian American)
- Not be previously diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- Not be pregnant at the time of enrollment
And meet ONE of the following:
- A recent (within the past year) blood test meeting ONE of the following specifications:
- Fasting glucose of 100 to 123 mg/dL
- Plasma glucose measured 2 hours after a 75mg glucose load of 140 to 199 gm/dL
- A1C of 5.7 to 6.4
- Clinically diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during a previous pregnancy
- A positive screening for prediabetes based on the CDC prediabetes screening test: https://www.cdc.gov/prediabetes/takethetest/
To learn more: