An astounding 98 million Americans — more than one in three — have prediabetes. Even more surprising, more than 80% percent of those individuals don’t know they have the condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Prediabetes is defined as having blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. It’s a serious health condition that increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
While that may seem sobering, the reassuring news is that adopting healthy lifestyle changes can reverse the condition and reduce your risk of developing other serious diseases.
For those seeking to make lasting and meaningful change, connecting to support and expert resources can make all the difference. That’s where the ThedaCare Diabetes Prevention Program comes in.
To help you determine if the program could be right for you, we’re answering some frequently asked questions.
How do I know if I have prediabetes?
Prediabetes often comes with no clear symptoms, according to the CDC. It can remain undetected until serious health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, arise. Talk to your doctor about getting your blood sugar tested if you have any risk factors for prediabetes. These include people who:
- Are overweight
- Are 45 years or older
- Have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
- Are physically active less than 3 times a week
- Have had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
- Gave birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
- Have polycystic ovary syndrome
Race and ethnicity play a role as well. African American, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, and some Asian American people are at higher risk.
The CDC also offers a free online quiz that assesses people’s risk.
What kind of changes can reverse prediabetes?
If you have prediabetes, you can lower your risk for developing type 2 diabetes by losing a small amount of weight if you’re overweight, and getting regular physical activity.
A small amount of weight loss means around 5% to 7% of your body weight. That’s around 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person. Regular physical activity is defined as getting at least 150 minutes a week of brisk walking or a similar activity, according to the CDC.
What is the Diabetes Prevention Program?
The program, offered at no cost to qualified individuals, is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program. This proven curriculum can help you make modest lifestyle changes and cut your risk of type 2 diabetes by more than half.
ThedaCare offers the program virtually via Zoom. It consists of 23 one-hour classes over the course of a year.
You’ll get:
- The skills you need to lose weight, be more physically active, and manage stress
- A trained lifestyle coach to guide and encourage you
- Support from other participants with the same goals as you
- A yearlong program with weekly meetings for the first six months, then once or twice a month for the second six months
How do I qualify?
To determine whether you qualify, we ask that you complete our online intake survey.
The survey assesses your risk factors and health status. Upon completion, a ThedaCare Lifestyle Medicine Program team member will follow up with you to let you know whether you qualify and next steps.
What are the expectations for the program?
If you join the program, we ask that you commit to the following:
- Attend every session.
- Call your lifestyle coach 24 hours ahead of the scheduled session if you must miss a class. If you must miss a session, you will follow the agreed-upon makeup policy.
- Do your best to reach your eating and activity goals. This includes doing home activities that will help you practice what you learn.
- Participate actively in group discussions.
The ThedaCare Diabetes Prevention Program is here to offer help, hope, and support. Groups begin throughout the calendar year. Two new groups start this fall, on Sept. 16, 2024, and Oct. 1, 2024. To get started, take the survey.
Start your journey to a healthier you.
For questions about the ThedaCare Diabetes Prevention Program, call (920) 454-7912 or email lifestylemedicineprograms@thedacare.org.
