Saturday, August 12, 2017

Hockomock Area YMCA Hosts YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program Information Sessions

With millions of Americans at risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, the Hockomock Area YMCA is encouraging community members to learn their risk and take action to prevent the disease. Currently, diabetes affects nearly 29 million people; another 86 million Americans have prediabetes, yet only about 10 percent are aware of it.

To learn more about the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program at the Hockomock Area YMCA, the community is invited to attend an upcoming information session:

  • Wednesday, August 23rd at 1:00pm at the North Attleboro Branch (300 Elmwood St)
  • Wednesday, August 23rd at 6:30pm at the Bernon Family Branch in Franklin (45 Forge Hill Road)
  • Wednesday, September 13th at 1:00pm at the North Attleboro Branch
  • Wednesday, September 13th at 6:30pm at the Bernon Family Branch in Franklin


Prediabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood glucose (sugar) levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with prediabetes are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Understanding your risk is the first step in preventing diabetes. 

Several factors including family history, age, weight and physical activity level can contribute to developing type 2 diabetes. Learn your risk for type 2 diabetes, about our program and take the diabetes risk test, visit https://www.hockymca.org/north-attleboro/diabetes-prevention/

For those at risk for diabetes, the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is designed to help individuals reduce their risk. The Program uses a CDC-approved curriculum and is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program. The year-long program consists of 16 weekly sessions and three sessions every other week during the first six months followed by 6 monthly sessions in the second six months. 

A trained lifestyle coach helps participants learn tactics for healthy eating, physical activity and other lifestyle changes. The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention resulted from a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which showed how healthier eating, increasing physical activity and losing a modest amount of weight could lead to better health in participants and an overall reduction of new type 2 diabetes cases.

Recently, the Hockomock Area YMCA received Full CDC Recognition Status of the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program and are currently the first Y in Massachusetts and the only organization in the state that is CDC recognized based on the outcomes of their program. The goal of the program is to help adults at risk for diabetes reduce their body weight by 5 to 7 percent and increase their physical activity to 150 minutes per week. Studies have shown that programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program can prevent or delay new cases of type 2 diabetes in adults by 58 percent and by as much as 71 percent in those over age 60.

The program is available at more than 1,400 sites in 44 states. Locally, the progream is offered at all three branches of the Hockomock Area YMCA in Foxboro, Franklin and North Attleboro with programs set to begin in October in North Attleboro and Franklin.

The YMCA encourages you to call the Program Coordinator at 508-643-5271 to learn more or contact your medical provider for a referral. Or for more program information visit hockymca.org.

Hockomock Area YMCA Hosts YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program Information Sessions
Hockomock Area YMCA Hosts YMCA’s
Diabetes Prevention Program Information Sessions 


About Hockomock Area YMCA:

Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility.

Our YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities we are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org.

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