Prevent Diabetes Central Oregon
Prevent Diabetes Central Oregon
This program is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This program is proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in adults.
Groups meet with a trained lifestyle coach to learn skills and make lasting changes. These changes include:
- losing a little bit of weight
- getting more active
- dealing with stress
- eating well away from home
- creating new habits
You will get support from other people who are trying to make the same changes. Together you can find ways to conquer hurdles and celebrate progress.
The group meets about 30 times over one year. Each meeting lasts one hour. Your lifestyle coach will teach a lesson and lead a group conversation.
The goal for you is to:
- lose 5 to 7 percent of your starting weight
- improve your food choices
- increase your physical activity
If you have prediabetes, these lifestyle changes can cut your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by more than half!
There is currently no cost to participants. In some cases, we can bill insurance for your classes. Let us know if you have Medicare or the Oregon Health Plan.
Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. When you have type 2 diabetes, your body can’t use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugar to build up in your blood.
Many adults have prediabetes before developing diabetes. Prediabetes is when blood sugars are high, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
Are you at risk for type 2 diabetes?
You could be at risk if you:
- have prediabetes (based on a blood test)
- are overweight
- have a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes
- are physically active less than 3 times a week
- ever had diabetes while pregnant
- have given birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
- are African American, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indian, or Alaska Native
Ask your doctor for a blood test to see if you have diabetes or prediabetes.
You can also take a risk test here: https://www.cdc.gov/prediabetes/takethetest/.
Does It Work?
In the original study, participants lost a little weight by making small changes over time. These lifestyle changes were much more powerful than taking medicine! Lifestyle change is our best defense against type 2 diabetes.
Click here for more information about the Lifestyle Change Program from the CDC.
When and Where is it offered?
This program is no longer being coordinated by Deschutes County Health Services.
For information about virtual opportunities offered by our partners at the Oregon Wellness Network, call:
1-833-ORE-WELL
