Diabetes Prevention Program

man holding food and activity tracker notebook

96 million American adults have prediabetes, but only 20% know they have it.

Click here to see if you're at risk!

Having prediabetes puts adults at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and stroke. Fortunately, prediabetes can be reversed. 

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) helps overweight adults at risk for type 2 diabetes, with an A1C range 5.7 - 6.4, reduce their risk through lifestyle modification. Delivered by Diabetes Lifestyle Coaches, the Y’s DPP is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-approved curriculum. 

  • The program provides a supportive environment for participants to achieve the goals of 7% weight loss and attaining 150 minutes of moderate physical activity (the equivalent of brisk walking) per week. 
  • DPP Lifestyle Coaches deliver the program over a 12-month period in a classroom setting to participants who meet qualification criteria. 

How It Works
In a classroom setting, a trained lifestyle coach facilitates a small group of participants in learning about healthier eating, physical activity and other behavior changes over 25 sessions. The year-long program consists of 16 weekly sessions and then three sessions every other week during the first six months, followed by 6 monthly sessions in the second six months. 

Program Goals

  • Reduce body weight by 7%
  • Increase physical activity to 150 minutes per week

Who  Can Participate?

  • Adults 18+ who are overweight (BMI > 25, Asian adults: BMI > 22) and at risk for developing type 2 diabetes''

Free for Qualifying Medicaid Members
Medicaid insurers Carolina Complete Health (CCH) and WellCare have partnered with the Y to provide the Diabetes Prevention Program in a virtual format to its qualifying members at no charge. (For CCH, regions 3, 4 and 5.) Work with your insurer and physician for a referral to the program.

Testimonial
“My experience with the Diabetes Prevention Program has been a life-changing journey. The most important lesson I’ve learned is that my health is in my own hands. I was able to develop better eating habits, and increasing my exercise made all the difference. I am proud to say I have kept the weight off these past two years, and my A1C is now down to 5.4 from 5.9. Without the program, I would not be as healthy as I am."--program participant in Wilmington, N.C.

Diabetes Prevention Program is offered virtually statewide and in person at some NC YMCAs: