Spotlight on...YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program

More Americans have prediabetes than ever before—as many as 79 million U.S. adults have the condition, putting them at high risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If left unchecked, the CDC predicts one in three American adults will have diabetes by 2050.

Statistics for New York State are just as alarming—23% of adult New Yorkers, or up to 4.2 million people statewide, have prediabetes, a condition in which their blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Changes in diet and exercise, however, can prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes, and in some cases, bring glucose levels back to normal.

NYSHealth is helping to improve the health of New Yorkers with prediabetes through a grant to the YMCA of New York State, Inc. With this support, YMCAs in 10 regions across the State have implemented a diabetes prevention program (Y-DPP) based on a pilot program tested by the CDC and the National Institutes of Health. The program has been shown to reduce the risk of adults with prediabetes from developing diabetes by 58%, and by 71% for adults over the age of 60.

The 16-week, community-based program is conducted by trained YMCA staff who teach people at high risk for diabetes how to modify their eating and physical activity habits, and how to sustain those changes over time. During one-hour weekly group sessions, participants learn about healthy eating, getting started with physical activity, overcoming stress, staying motivated, and other behavioral changes.

At the end of the 16 weeks, participants are encouraged to continue with a weekly maintenance program. While the Y-DPP was initially launched with an NYSHealth grant, the YMCA is working with insurers and employers to secure third-party reimbursement to sustain and expand the program. BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, Independent Health, and UnitedHealth Group have now agreed to provide reimbursement for participants at some locations.

Several Y-DPP program cycles have now been completed, and its impact on participants has been significant. For Anne Walter, a graduate of the Y-DPP at the YMCA of Greater Syracuse, the program has had a profound effect not only on her health, but on her self esteem as well.

At 57 years old, Anne weighed more than she ever had before. Diagnosed with prediabetes, she was suffering from a host of serious health problems: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint pain from arthritis, and spinal stenosis that required back surgery to correct. At a routine checkup, Anne admitted her feelings of frustration and depression to her doctor, who in turn referred her to the practice’s dietician. Having recently learned about the Y-DPP, the dietician recommended Anne for the program.

Right from the start, Anne was inspired by the classes and impressed with the support she received. “Everything made sense to me,” says Anne. “I began to tune into what I was eating and I began to push myself to exercise.” Soon, she was comfortable using the Y’s gym equipment and had signed up for a swimming class, an activity she continues to enjoy. The program’s group support was the key to keeping Anne motivated. She and the other participants were able to discuss successes and failures at the weekly meetings, and weigh-ins were especially useful in helping her set goals and keep herself accountable to them.

While the program was challenging and required hard work on her part, once Anne established a routine of exercise and healthy eating, she finally began to feel better and to lose weight. To date, Anne has lost 85 pounds and continues her commitment to lose 10-15 more in order to achieve her ideal weight. More good news was in store for Anne at her last doctor’s visit—her blood work came back with vastly improved results.

And while Anne is thrilled by the physical improvements she has seen, she is even more pleased by the changes in her outlook. “I am a happier person and I am more comfortable interacting with people,” says Anne. “I just attended my 40th high school reunion and I wasn’t embarrassed about how heavy I looked. I have rarely been sick throughout the last year and my body feels healthy and strong.”

Since completing the Y-DPP, Anne continues to exercise daily and has renewed energy. On a recent trip to the Adirondacks, she began each morning with a long walk and enjoyed being outdoors in a way that she had never before experienced. Friends and coworkers have also said she’s inspired them to get healthier. Her childhood best friend, who had a heart attack at 40 years old and struggles with weight issues, recently told Anne she is considering joining the YMCA and would like to start swimming and exercising with her. “If she follows through, that would mean the world to me for the two of us to someday be old ladies together,” says Anne.

Read more Y-DPP participant success stories.