First Posted: 1/2/2015
The New Year is a time a lot of us vow to make big changes in our lives. But sometimes, small changes can be a big first step.
The Lima Family YMCA is enrolling adults into its 2015 Diabetes Prevention Program. The program, now in its second year, is aimed at keeping people in Allen County from developing type II diabetes.
The program is a yearlong course for people with pre-diabetes or multiple risk factors such as age, weight and family history. The two goals of the program are for participants reduce their body weight by 7 percent and to increase their physical activity to 150 minutes per week.
Participants keep track their activity and food through the program. They turn in a food log and try to stay in their food gram goal each week.
It’s a great way to find out what changes are best for the individuals. The class meets once a week for 16 weeks and then once a month for the remainder of the year. Some health care providers even cover the cost of the program and scholarships are available based on annual income. But before someone gets started they need to determine if they are at risk for developing diabetes.
Adults can find out if they are at risk for developing type II diabetes and if they are eligible for the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention program for free this January. The Lima Family YMCA is partnering with Activate Allen County and Ohio Northern University to offer a free fasting glucose screening for adults from 7 to 11 a.m. Jan. 24.
In order to participate, individuals must register by calling 419-221-5035 and must fast (no food or drink) for 12 hours before the screening. This screening is for adults only and is limited to the first 100 people who register.
