Free Diabetes Prevention Program available

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Diabetes affects 14 percent of West Virginians, but for some patients with pre-diabetes, healthy lifestyle changes can stop it before it starts. The WVU Medicine Diabetes Education Center is coordinating with the National Diabetes Prevention Program to offer a free program to people who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Pre-diabetes is a condition in which a person has glucose levels that are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. Usually, people who have pre-diabetes do not exhibit symptoms, but, if they do not lower their glucose levels, they are at risk of developing diabetes. Those who have any of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes should be tested for pre-diabetes.

Individuals who are 18 years of age or older and meet any one of the following criteria may qualify for the free Diabetes Prevention Program:

• Fasting blood glucose of 100-125 mg/dL;
• A1C of 5.7 percent to 6.4 percent;
• Glucose Tolerance Test – two-hour result of 140-199 mg/dL;
• History of gestational diabetes;
• Over 65 years of age; or
• Score a 9 on CDC Diabetes Prevention Screening Test

A free, over-the-phone CDC Diabetes Prevention Screening Test will be provided to anyone who calls to express an interest in this program.

Diabetes Prevention Program participants will benefit from healthy living education, lifestyle coaching, and a support group as they work together toward two goals: losing weight and being more active. Participants will learn new skills, such as eating healthy without giving up foods they love, adding physical activity to a busy schedule, dealing with stress, coping with challenges like how to eat healthy when dining out, and how to get back on track if they stray from their plan.

The program includes one year of group meetings, one each week for 16 weeks, then one each month. Meeting location(s) will be selected based on convenience for participants.

Those who think they may be at risk for diabetes can sign up for the program by calling the WVU Medicine Diabetes Education Center at 304-598-4391 ext. 1 or ext. 2.

The deadline to sign up for the program has been extended to Wednesday, Mar. 2.