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YMCA joins fight against diabetes
(by Dedra Cordle, staff writer - July 08, 2010)
The Grove City YMCA is teaming up with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United Health Care Group to help combat one of the most common human diseases - diabetes.
Tony Delisio, executive director of member services, said that their 16-week program would focus on how to prevent diabetes from occurring.
A recent study from the Diabetes Prevention Program showed that people with pre-diabetes, which means that their blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes, can prevent Type 2 diabetes by eating healthy, being physically active and managing weight.
Delisio said during the July 6 Jackson Township board of trustees meeting that they are confident this program will be able to provide the community with opportunities to engage in an overall healthier lifestyle.
Delisio said the YMCA would like to begin classes by July 20, but are still waiting to hear from the United Health Care Group regarding enrollment figures. He said the pre-diabetes program is open for the entire community, not just members of the YMCA.
Here are several risk factors the CDC says increases the likelihood of developing diabetes. They include:
•Being overweight or obese
•Having a parent, brother or sister with diabetes
•Having a prior history of gestational diabetes or birth of at least one baby weighing more than nine pounds
•Being physically inactive
•Blood pressure measuring 140/90 or higher
Studies from the American Diabetes Association also show that diabetes is more prevalent in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged community.
To take a diabetes risk test, visit www.diabetes.org.
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