RYE Y SELECTED TO LEAD REGIONAL DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM
[May 31, 2010, Rye, NY] In recognition of its leadership in the area of improving community health, the Rye Y was recently designated by the national YMCA organization to lead an innovative, clinically proven diabetes prevention program throughout the Westchester County area. United Health Group, one of the nation’s largest health insurers, is collaborating with Y-USA in this unique partnership to prevent the growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes.
An estimated 60 million American adults aged 20 years or older are considered pre-diabetic according to the Center for Disease Control. As the seventh leading cause of death in United States diabetes is also a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, blindness and lower limb amputations.
The program being offered by the Y is based on a landmark study by the National Institutes of Health and the CDC which showed that by eating healthier, increasing physical activity, and losing a small amount of weight, a person with pre-diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by 58%. Classes will be starting mid-June, facilitated by a trained lifestyle coach who provides 16 educational sessions in which participants learn about nutrition, physical activity and behavior modification. The Y Diabetes Prevention Program (YDPP) is open to both members and non-members of the Y. All individuals with a BMI over 24 and who have two additional risk factors or have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes are eligible.
“We’re excited to be offering this diabetes prevention program to the community,” states Gregg Howells, Executive Director of the Rye Y. “Chronic disease prevention is a top priority of our Activate America initiative and this program allows us to act on that in a very compelling, measureable way.”
For more information about the Y’s Diabetes Prevention program, contact Tanya Potrzebowski, YDPP regional coordinator, Rye YMCA, at 914-967-6363, ext. 206 or visit www.ryeymca.org.
Classes are scheduled to begin week of June 13, with both morning and evening sessions planned
