The past couple of years have brought many challenges and highlighted the importance of taking care of mental and physical health, as good health impacts every part of a person’s life. Powell Valley Healthcare leaders say that includes watching out for diabetes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 88 million US adults have prediabetes — meaning they have higher blood sugar levels than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. More than eight in 10 of those with prediabetes don’t know they have it. Prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes and put limits on what people enjoy the most — such as having the health and energy for family, work and hobbies that make life meaningful. It can also increase a person’s risk for other serious health conditions like heart attack, stroke or kidney failure.

Type 2 diabetes isn’t reversible, but the good news is that prediabetes is with lifestyle changes.

Every November, Powell Valley Healthcare recognizes National Diabetes Month as a chance to share the risks of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and to let the public know about a proven program that can help reverse prediabetes and prevent type 2 diabetes.

In collaboration with Northwest College Community Education, PVHC offers a lifestyle change program called PREVENT T2. It helps adults with prediabetes add healthy habits into their everyday lives as part of CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP).

PREVENT T2 will kick off its first session on Tuesday, Jan. 11 in an in-person format. The session runs from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the community education building in NWC’s Trapper West campus, 1397 Fort Drum Dr. 

In the program, participants will meet people who are also working to improve their health and lower their risk for type 2 diabetes. Trained lifestyle coaches from PVHC lead the program and will help participants find what works best for them and offer encouragement on their health journey.

One appreciative participant from last year’s class said the skills and knowledge shared “have and are continuing to motivate me to work towards a heathier lifestyle.”

“You really helped me stick to it and I am so thankful,” she wrote to PVHC. “The program exceeded my expectations.”

Another participant said they met a weight loss goal and gained healthier eating habits, crediting the support of the leaders and group members.

“Sharing similar experiences with other members of the program gave me encouragement and support to keep attending the weekly sessions,” he said. “Making small changes over time was key for me.” 

PREVENT T2 leaders say it can feel overwhelming to think about how to live healthier.

“You may think you don’t have the time to be more active or the desire to give up all your favorite foods. With the lifestyle change program, though, we celebrate your life and show how living healthy can add to that, not take away from it,” organizers say. “It’s possible to make small changes that make a big difference, like adding some extra veggies to your favorite meal or playing outside with a pet or your grandkids to be more active.”

Participants in the program aim to lose 5-7% of their body weight, which is 10-14 pounds for a 200-pound adult. They also aim to get 150 minutes of physical activity each week. People in the lifestyle change program who make these changes can cut their risk of type 2 diabetes in half.

“We want you to enjoy your best life, full of time with family, friends, and the activities you care about. By taking steps to eat healthier, get more physical activity, solve problems that can slow your progress, and manage stress, you can set yourself up to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes,” organizers say. “You do so much for others, so make sure to take some time for yourself too and learn more today about the lifestyle change program.”

For more information, call Tina Braet-Thomas at 307-754-2267, ext. 3604 or email tbraet@pvhc.org.