What is Diabetes and DPP

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or sugar, for our bodies to use for energy. The pancreas, an organ that lies near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into the cells of our bodies. When you have type 2 diabetes, your body can’t use its own insulin as well as it should. This causes sugar to build up in your blood. Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition. It can lead to health issues such as heart attack; stroke; blindness; kidney failure; or loss of toes, feet, or legs.

What Is Prediabetes?

Prediabetes is a blood glucose (sugar) level that is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. One in three American adults has prediabetes, and most do not even know they have it. If you have prediabetes and do not lose weight or do moderate physical activity, you may develop type 2 diabetes within 3 years.

Am I at Risk for Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes?

You are at increased risk for developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if you:

Are 45 years of age or older;
Are overweight;
Have a family history of type 2 diabetes;
Are physically active fewer than three times per week; or
Ever had diabetes while pregnant which disappeared after the delivery (gestational diabetes) or gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds. If you think you may be at risk, a health care provider can do a blood test to see if you have diabetes or prediabetes.

Can I Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?
Yes! Hearing your doctor say, “You’re at risk for type 2 diabetes,” or “You have prediabetes,” means that you can start preventing type 2 diabetes today. And you do not have to do it alone. Finding the Diabetes Prevention Program was your first step on that journey. If you have prediabetes, now is the time for prevention. The Diabetes Prevention Program at GBCHC can help you take charge of your health to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

What Is the Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle change intervention
Groups meet once a week for 16 weeks, then once a month for 6 months to maintain healthy lifestyle changes. During each session, your lifestyle coach will teach a lesson and lead a group discussion.

For example, you will learn to:

Eat healthy
Add physical activity to your life
Manage stress
Stay on track when eating out

Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle coaches have the experience and training to help you reach your goals. Your lifestyle coach will help you:

Learn the facts about healthy eating and physical activity and explain how these behaviors will help reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes
Set and meet your goals
Build relationships with other participants
Work as a group to meet challenges
Understand and respond to your food cues
Stay motivated
Solve problems that can get in the way of healthy changes

What Is the Benefit of Being Part of this program?
The GBCHC program is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is proven to help people with prediabetes prevent or delay development of type 2 diabetes.

As part of a Diabetes Prevention Program group, you will work with other participants and a trained lifestyle coach to learn the skills you need to make lasting changes. These changes include losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress.

Being part of a group provides support from other people who are facing similar challenges and trying to make the same changes you are. Together you can celebrate successes and find ways to overcome obstacles.

Program Features

Trained lifestyle coach
CDC-approved curriculum
Group support
16 weekly meetings
6 monthly follow-up meetings

Where Can I Participate in a lifestyle intervention program?
Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic
Contact: Patricia
45580 Woodward Ave., Pontiac MI 48341
Phone: 248-309-3752

The program is free to clinic patients. For community members, a donation is suggested of $75 for one year or $10 per session. Community scholarships are available.

Does the Program Work?
This program can help people with prediabetes cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half. The Diabetes Prevention Program research study showed that making modest behavior changes helped participants lose 5 to 7 percent of their body weight — that is 10 to 14 pounds for a person weighing 200 pounds. These lifestyle changes reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent in people with prediabetes.

Am I eligible for the program?
People at risk for diabetes can participate. If your healthcare provider has said you have high blood sugar, prediabetes or are overweight, call GBCHC to request a referral form for your provider to complete. If you don’t currently have a healthcare provider, click on the link below and “Take the Quiz” on the CDC website to find your score. Call GBCHC at 248-309-3752 for information and referrals.

“Could You Have Prediabetes?” Online Quiz: This simple, seven-question quiz assesses if a person is at risk for having prediabetes. You can view and take the quiz to your website here CDC questionaire.

“A Change for Life” Video: In this video, experts and people with prediabetes talk about how type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by making lifestyle changes that include weight loss and increased physical activity. People with prediabetes discuss how group lifestyle change classes helped them learn and keep healthy habits. You can view and download this video.