Diabetes Awareness, Prevention and Support

Are you at risk of Diabetes? Take the following test. A score of 9 or higher means you are at risk for pre-diabetes or diabetes. This does not mean you have diabetes – you’ll need to see your health care provider for a blood test to find out if you have diabetes. Diabetes Risk Test I had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds at birth OR I have had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) [Points: 1] I have a sister or brother with diabetes [Points: 1] I have a parent with diabetes [Points: 1] I am overweight (see chart below*) [Points: 5] I am younger than 65 years of age AND get little or no exercise in a typical day [Points: 5] I am between 45 and 64 years of age [Points: 5] I am 65 years of age or older [Points: 9] TOTAL POINTS: *At Risk Weight Chart – find your height in the chart. If you weigh as much or more than the weight listed for your height, you are at risk for type 2 diabetes. Height Weight (in pounds) 4’10’’ 129 4’11” 133 5’ 138 5’1” 143 5’2” 147 5’3” 152 5’4” 157 5’5” 162 5’6” 167 5’7” 172 5’8” 177 5’9” 182 5’10” 188 5’11” 193 6’ 199 6’1” 204 6’2” 210 6’3” 216 6’4” 221 If you are at risk for diabetes, you may be interested to know about a Diabetes Prevention Program. The Diabetes Prevention Program is a proven way to prevent diabetes in people who have pre-diabetes or are at risk for diabetes, by making small lifestyle changes. The Diabetes Prevention Program is an evidence based program for adults and is led by a trained Lifestyle Coach. The program meets in small groups for just one hour every week for 16 weeks, and includes supportive monthly follow up sessions. The trained coach leads the weekly sessions to help you improve your food choices, increase physical activity, and learn coping skills to maintain weight loss and healthy lifestyle changes – that lead to the prevention or delay of a diabetes diagnosis. Individuals who participate in the Diabetes Prevention Program will get: o Lifestyle coaching o Group and individual support o Educational materials o Personalized feedback o Introduction of physical activity o Lifetime friends o Useful information o A healthier you! The program is based on a clinical research trial led by the National Institutes of Health, which showed that people with pre-diabetes can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by 58% overall, and 71% in people 60 years of age and older. The Diabetes Prevention Workshop is being offered by Niagara County Department of Health, Nursing Division at The Dale Association, 33 Ontario Street, Lockport, NY Thursdays, starting January 23rd from 10:00 – 11:00am. To RSVP, please call 278-1900 and ask to speak to somebody about the Diabetes Prevention Program.