Changing Lives at the Y!

In the United States, nearly 26 million individuals are impacted by diabetes and since 2000, the percentage of Ohioans diagnosed with diabetes has increased to 37%. It is estimated that approximately 7 million in the U.S. are currently undiagnosed. Those with diabetes will lose an average of 10 to 15 years of their potential life span and the cost of treating this disease continues to soar to unprecedented heights.

In Ohio, more than 3 million adults have prediabetes, which means a person’s blood glucose (sugar) is higher than normal, but their condition has not evolved into diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented in people with prediabetes through effective lifestyle programs. In Central Ohio, more than 360,000 individuals have been identified for being at risk of prediabetes or diabetes. 

Across the nation, the Y is a leading voice on health and wellness. At the YMCA of Central Ohio, we believe that in order to bring about meaningful change, individuals need ongoing support. One of the ways we are changing lives is through our YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program. This program helps those at high risk adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 

The YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program is based on research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which showed that by eating healthier food, increasing physical activity and losing a small amount of weight 5% to 9%, a person with prediabetes can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. 

Since 2010, we have been providing this program at our Y’s and at various employer locations. The year-long program consists of 16 weekly sessions, followed up by monthly sessions in a classroom setting and are facilitated by a lifestyle coach. Participants learn about healthy eating, physical activity and other behavior changes over the course of the program. Topics range from being a fat detective, overcoming stress to increasing motivation to lead a healthier lifestyle.

To date more than 500 individuals have enrolled in the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program. Over 250 participants have successfully completed the program and currently 270 remain actively engaged. On average, participants in the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program have lost 6% of their body weight by the last weekly session and tracked 96 minutes of physical weekly activity.

In 2011, David Leslie participated in an employer health screening event where he had his A1c level tested. The A1c test is a commonly used to identify persons at risk for or diagnose a person with type 2 diabetes. The test is also used to gauge how well an individual is managing their diabetes. Although David was working diligently to improve his eating habits, his test still came back with a score of 5.9, identifying him as a person with prediabetes. Determined to change his fate, David joined the Diabetes Prevention Program at the YMCA of Central Ohio.

Since joining the program, David has learned ways to reduce and eliminate high fat foods from his diet.  Additionally, he has learned how to be consistent about making healthier lifestyle choices. This past May, David had his A1C tested again and for the first time in seven years his A1c was normal and for the first time in 10 years weighed less than 250 pounds. He credits his success to the support he received at the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program.

David is just one of the many success stories of the program. To learn more about the YMCA of Diabetes Prevention Program visit http://ymcacolumbus.org/diabetes.

Caroline Rankin   
Guest Contributor
Director of Government Funding and Diabetes Program
YMCA of Central Ohio