The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program can help you actively engage in moving towards your personal health and wellness goals. Participation in this program at the YMCA will connect you with a community health coach and a greater community of like-minded health-seekers that will motivate you in your journey towards a healthier lifestyle.

If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes or believe you may be at risk for developing diabetes, the Y is here to help you! This small-group program can help you eat healthier, find new ways to engage in regular physical activity, and lose weight, which can delay or even prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Led by trained lifestyle coaches, the program strives to help participants achieve two primary goals:

  • Reduce body weight by 7%
  • Increase physical activity to 150 minutes per week

If you are interested in enrolling in the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program, please click here.

  • Support and Encouragement
  • Learn Healthy Lifestyles
  • Set and achieve goals
  • Trained lifestyle coaches

Yes, there is a program fee. However, some insurance providers cover the cost of the program. In addition, the Y is committed to reducing or covering the cost of the program through financial assistance or grant funding for eligible participants. 

We are now offering the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program virtually! Registration is open for upcoming classes across the Greater St. Louis region. If you are interested in learning more about the program and participation options, please call 314-598-2120 or email preventdiabetes@gwrymca.org.

Unfortunately, you do not qualify for this program, but the YMCA has other programs and services available that you may qualify for. Click on the links below for more information.


Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring (BPSM)
Nutrition services
 

DIABETES PREVENTION

Prediabetes is a potentially reversible condition that often leads to diabetes. If you are interested in learning more about how you can reverse your risk, take the quiz below and a Community Health Team member will contact you.

Click here to find out your risk
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The YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program will help you to:

  • Learn about and adopt healthy eating and physical activity habits that have been proven to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
  • Receive support and encouragement from both a trained lifestyle coach and fellow classmates
  • Set goals for improving and maintaining your overall well-being.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes? 

Type 2 diabetes is a disease characterized by high blood sugar, also known as blood glucose. This is your body's main source of energy and primarily comes from the food you eat. Typically, a hormone produced in the pancreas called insulin moves glucose to your cells so that it can be converted to energy. However, with type 2 diabetes, the body either won't produce the right amount of insulin or doesn't use it correctly. Too much glucose will stay in your blood instead of reaching your cells, which leads to health problems such as: 

  • Increased hunger, thirst and urination
  • Fatigue
  • Blurry vision
  • Numb or tingling feeling in your extremities 
  • Sores that don't heal
  • Weight loss

Why Diabetes Prevention Is Important

When you don't take diabetes prevention steps or follow a good care plan, you can end up with heart disease, nerve damage, kidney disease, eye disease and more. Often, you can prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Losing weight if you're overweight and keeping it off can prevent or delay diabetes. Also, moving more and eating healthy foods are positive changes.

The YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program is designed to help those at risk for type 2 diabetes. Our team will work with you to: 

  • Offer Support and Encouragement
  • Set and achieve goals
  • Help You Learn Healthy Lifestyles
  • Provide Trained lifestyle coaches
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