Lakeview partners with CDC to fight diabetes

18 Oct Lakeview partners with CDC to fight diabetes

Community members are preventing type 2 diabetes together with the PreventT2 lifestyle change program offered by Lakeview SDA Health Ministry. Guided by a trained lifestyle coach, groups of participants are learning the skills they need to make lasting changes such as losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress.

People with prediabetes — higher-than-normal blood glucose (sugar) levels — are 5 to 15 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood glucose levels. In fact, many people with prediabetes can be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within 5 years. “

One in three American adults has prediabetes, so the need for prevention has never been greater,” said Ade Oyekoya. “The PreventT2 program offers a proven approach to preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes through modest lifestyle changes made with the support of a coach and one’s peers.”

Participants learn how to eat healthy, add physical activity to their routine, manage stress, stay motivated, and solve problems that can get in the way of healthy changes. PreventT2 groups meet for a year — weekly for the first 6 months, then once or twice a month for the second 6 months to maintain healthy lifestyle changes. The program’s group setting provides a supportive environment with people who are facing similar challenges and trying to make the same changes. Together participants celebrate their successes and find ways to overcome obstacles.

PreventT2 is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The local program meets at the church, on select days and costs nothing. Participants have already signed up for PreventT2, and Lakeview is working to get more people aware and involved.

Rodney McCoy, who learned he was diabetic after a doctor’s visit in October 2015, said he supports the program because it provides people with the tools to prevent a similar diagnosis.

PreventT2 is based on research that showed that people with prediabetes who lost 5 to 7 percent of their body weight (10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person) by making modest changes reduced their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent. Nationwide implementation of the program could greatly reduce future cases of type 2 diabetes, a serious condition that can lead to health problems including heart attack; stroke; blindness; kidney failure; or loss of toes, feet, or legs.

“There are everyday changes you can make to get to your goal,” added Rodney. “Take small steps until you get to the big steps.”

People are more likely to have prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if they:

• Are 45 years of age or older;
• Are overweight;
• Have a family history of type 2 diabetes;
• Are physically active fewer than three times per week; or
• Have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy or gave birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds.

To learn more about the program, call contact Ade Oyekoya at healthministry@lakeviewsdventist.org  or go to www.cdc.gov.