Get A Jump On Diabetes At Cowart YMCA

To help older adults in the area reduce their risk and raise awareness of the disease, the is launching a new program in collaboration with the Medicare Diabetes Screening Project.

The "Get A Jump On Diabetes" campaign offers the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program to older adults in metro Atlanta at no cost.

The 16-session program helps participants learn simple lifestyle changes to reduce their risk for prediabetes.

The disease develops when a person’s blood glucose (sugar) level is higher than normal and often leads to type 2 diabetes.

In a classroom setting, trained coaches teach participants how to manage their blood glucose levels. Popular discussion topics include healthy eating habits and increasing physical activity on a busy schedule.

Research has proven that by participating in the program, older adults can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 71 percent.

To qualify, you must be 65 or older, overweight and prediabetic. A healthcare provider can determine eligibility by taking a quick blood test and body mass index measurement.