YMCA of Delaware expands diabetes prevention program

Following nearly two years of reduced physical activity due to COVID-19, health statistics show prediabetes rates are on the rise. Currently, 88 million American adults (more than 1 in 3) have prediabetes, but fewer than 16 percent know it.

In Delaware, over one-quarter of adults have or are at high risk for diabetes, and more than 127,000 Delawareans have prediabetes. With new cases of diabetes and prediabetes increasing in Delaware, the YMCA has expanded availability of its diabetes prevention program to include programs in Spanish as well as distance and hybrid learning options.

“There are so many Delawareans at risk for developing diabetes, and we know that healthy lifestyle changes can cut this risk significantly. This is why it is so important for us to continue delivering chronic disease prevention programs here in Delaware. Expanding these services to our Spanish-speaking neighbors and to those who are not able to physically visit the Y will allow us to reach and positively impact the lives of more people than ever,” said Kat Luebke, community health integration program director.

Each year in 2.5% of people with prediabetes, the condition will convert to diabetes. In addition to the increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, people with prediabetes are also at risk of developing other chronic diseases such as heart disease and stroke. Type 2 diabetes is preventable, and the YMCA’s diabetes prevention program aims to help Delawareans reverse their prediabetes.

Diabetes is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in Delaware.

In 2019, 34% of Delaware adults were obese and an additional 35% were overweight, placing them at greater risk for diabetes. Conservatively, over one-quarter of all Delaware adults have or are at elevated risk for diabetes.

For more information on the YMCA diabetes prevention program, call 302-572-9622, email healthyliving@ymcade.org or go to ymcade.org/preventdiabetes.