How Can I Learn If I Am At Risk For Type 2 Diabetes?
Over 29.1 million Americans have diabetes and one out of four does not know that they have it. If you don’t have diabetes, the assessment will help you understand your risk for getting diabetes in the future. If you aren’t sure whether or not you have diabetes now, it will help you better understand the likelihood, including symptoms and how you can be screened for diabetes.
You are at increased risk for developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if you:
- Are 45 years of age or older
- Are overweight
- Have a family history of type 2 diabetes
- Are physically active fewer than three times per week
- Have had diabetes gestational diabetes or gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds
If you think you may be at risk, a health care provider can do a blood test to see if you have diabetes or prediabetes.
What is Prevent T2?
Prevent T2 is a Lifestyle Change Program developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Diabetes Translation. The Prevent T2 Lifestyle Change Program is for people with prediabetes. It is also designed for people at high risk for type 2 diabetes who want to lower their risk.
You can learn more about this Prevent T2 program here.
When Does Prevent T2 Take Place and Where Do We Meet?
The year-long Prevent T2 Program meets for one hour weekly for the first four months, every other week for the next two months and monthly for the last six months.
Cecil County Health Department schedules the programs regularly throughout the year. If you sign up for the program you will be placed on a list in our secure system and offered a spot in the next available class.
If you are interested but not yet ready to enroll, or the time of a scheduled program does not work for you, we will try to schedule upcoming program to fit your needs.
Class times are usually scheduled according to the most requested participant preference. See the attached flyer for the next scheduled program.
Under pandemic allowances CCHD offers live group video calls and in-person programs.
What are the Goals of Program Participants?
Prevent T2 helps participants achieve moderate weight loss by eating well and being active.
By the end of the first six months, the goal is for participants to:
- Lose at least 5 to 7 percent of their starting weight
- Get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week, at a moderate pace or more
By the end of the second six months, the goal is for participants to:
- Keep off the weight they have lost
- Keep working toward their goal weight, if they haven’t reached it
- Lose more weight if they wish
- Keep getting at least 150 minutes of activity each week
How can I Sign Up for Prevent T2 and Start Getting Healthier?
The best way to get started is to either give us a call at (410) 996-5168 or you can fill out this form and you will be on the road to a healthier you.
You can take the CDC Diabetes Risk Assessment here.