Diabetes Awareness Month: Why Prevention Matters
Photo: A community member at a group session for our Diabetes Prevention Program.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, with November 14 dedicated as World Diabetes Day. Led by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), this national initiative focuses on the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of understanding risk factors.
As a national leader in health education, the YMCA of Greater San Francisco supports individuals in forming healthier habits to prevent diabetes. We encourage Bay Area communities to understand their risks for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, as well as what steps they can take today.
What’s Prediabetes & Diabetes?
Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. If not managed, prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes, which can increase the risk for other chronic illnesses such as heart disease and stroke. Prediabetes has no symptoms, and only 10 percent of those who have prediabetes know they have it.
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition where the body has too much sugar in the blood and not enough insulin to process the blood sugar levels, leading to a buildup of glucose in the body. If not treated, it can lead to health problems like heart disease, kidney disease, eye damage, and even premature death. Diabetes has become one of the leading causes of death around the world.
The good news is that prediabetes may be reversible, and type 2 diabetes may be preventable with simple lifestyle changes such as healthier eating, regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Here’s How the Y Can Help
The YMCA delivers a CDC-approved curriculum and is a part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP). This program is a 12-month evidence-based program that features a lifestyle coach who helps participants learn tactics for healthy eating, physical activity, and other lifestyle changes during 26, one-hour classroom sessions. Long-term program goals include reducing participants’ body weight by 7 percent and increasing physical activity to 150 minutes per week. A YMCA membership is not required to participate. Since 2013, the YMCA of Greater San Francisco has served more than 1,400 participants across three counties in three languages.
We invite you to take the quick, 60-second risk test to find out if you’re at risk: https://www.cdc.gov/prediabetes/risktest/index.html
If you or someone you know is interested in joining our program, please visit our Diabetes Prevention Program page to pre-register. Our Health Coordinator will reach out to you to schedule a consultation.
6 Healthy Tips for a Preventative Lifestyle
These simple lifestyle changes can contribute to weight loss and significantly decrease your risk for type 2 diabetes:
1. Talk to Your Doctor Use this moment as a reminder to discuss your diabetes risk factors with your health care provider. This is especially important if you have a family history of diabetes or a higher BMI.
2. More Fruits and Veggies Try incorporating a colorful array of fruits and vegetables into your day! Eating these healthy foods can have a huge impact on your overall health. Get creative in the kitchen with great fall recipes using vegetables that are in season.
3. Choose Lean Proteins Choosing healthy food options and altering food preparation methods can contribute to weight loss. Check out some healthy and delicious ways to prepare proteins at the ADA website: https://diabetes.org/
4. Embrace Grain Power There’s power in whole grains! Aim for whole grains with every meal. A whole grain sandwich filled with fresh veggies and lean meat can be both filling and delicious.
5. Achieve 150 Minutes of Movement Small steps matter. Build up to 150 minutes of physical activity per week. You can start with a walk each day or check out our Y’s exciting group exercise class schedule. The key is to just keep moving!
6. Drink More Water Drinking water instead of beverages with added sugar is a simple, effective lifestyle change. Carrying and refilling a reusable water bottle is an easy way to keep thirst (and sugary beverage temptation!) at bay.
Your Wellness Journey Starts Here
As we recognize and observe Diabetes Awareness Month, the Y is here to remind you that prevention means taking action, and that we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way.
We encourage you to take the risk test and, if needed, join our proven Diabetes Prevention Program. Let’s build a healthier future together—because we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.
