Mohawk Valley residents with prediabetes or who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes now have more resources to prevent the condition. Herkimer County HealthNet is offering the National Diabetes Prevention Program. The program helps participants reduce their risk for type 2 diabetes by learning to eat healthier, lose weight, become more physically active, and manage stress.
The program will begin Wednesday, June 8, and will meet every Wednesday for 16 weeks, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce, HARC building, 420 E. German St., Herkimer. After the first 16 weeks, the program will meet once monthly for six months to continue to offer support and help participants stick to their new healthy lifestyle.
Crystal Hein of Crystal Clear Nutrition will be the lifestyle coach who will lead the weekly sessions to help you improve your food choices, increase physical activity, and learn coping skills to maintain weight loss and healthy lifestyle changes. The National Diabetes Prevention Program is a CDC-recognized diabetes prevention lifestyle change program to help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
Prediabetes is defined as having a blood glucose (sugar) level that is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. A person with prediabetes is at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, which can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, and stroke. While many are familiar with type 2 diabetes, fewer are aware of prediabetes, a serious health condition that affects 86 million Americans (more than 1 in 3) and often leads to type 2 diabetes.
“Small changes can prevent diabetes, with this program we are hoping to spark a change because the reality is that the majority of the public is either unaware or does not take prediabetes seriously,” said Thomas C. Curnow, Ed.D., executive director of Herkimer County HealthNet.
If you are interested in attending the Diabetes Prevention Program, contact Herkimer County HealthNet at 315-867-1552 or tcurnow@herkimercounty.org.