The Woodson YMCA encourages Wausau area residents to learn the factors for developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes on American Diabetes Association Alert Day.

March 28 is American Diabetes Association (ADA) Alert Day and with millions of Americans at risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, the Woodson YMCA urges residents of the Wausau area to take action to prevent the disease. Currently, diabetes affects nearly 29 million people; another 86 million Americans have prediabetes, yet only about 10 percent are aware of it. Diabetes also puts an incredible strain on our health care system, costing billions of dollars a year to treat and manage the disease.

Understanding your risk is the first step in preventing diabetes. Several factors including family history, age, weight and physical activity level can contribute to developing type 2 diabetes. Learn your risk for type 2 diabetes by taking the diabetes risk test at ymca.net/diabetes. The Woodson YMCA has developed a new class for those already living with diabetes.

Managing Your Diabetes will begin on April 25. The 6-week session will run two nights a week at the Woodson YMCA-Wausau Branch. The course will help participants to improve overall quality of life within a safe and supportive environment. We’ll address the physical and emotional needs of each individual and stress the importance of diet, nutrition and exercise in maintaining a healthy body. Non-members will receive a short-term Y membership over the course of the 12 class sessions. The fee is just $10/members and $15/non-members, sponsored by the Woodson YMCA Foundation. Contact Becky Zelent to sign up at 715-841- 1822 or to learn more.

For those at risk for diabetes, programs such as the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program can help. Facilitated by a trained Lifestyle Coach, the yearlong program provides a supportive environment where participants work together in a small group to learn about behavior changes that can improve overall health. The goal of the program is to help adults at risk for diabetes reduce their body weight by 5 to 7 percent and increase their physical activity to 150 minutes per week. The Woodson YMCA will launch the Diabetes Prevention Program this fall. It uses a CDC-approved curriculum and is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program. The program is available at more than 1,700 sites in 47 states.

[h3]About the Y[/h3]

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 22 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. ymca.net