YMCA prevention program aims to steer prediabetics to better health

Diabetes is an irreversible condition thought to be a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, blindness and kidney and nerve disease. To help Las Vegans reduce their risk for developing type 2 diabetes and gain tools for healthy living, the YMCA of Southern Nevada offers a yearlong Diabetes Prevention Program.

The numbers regarding diabetes are sobering. According to the American Diabetes Association, 86 million Americans 20 or older have prediabetes, up from 79 million in 2010. Those with prediabetes are likely to develop type 2 within 10 years, unless they take steps to prevent or delay the disease.

“It’s always linked in with other diseases, so why not have a program to (prevent it)?” said Barbara Carter, coordinator for the program at the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA, 4141 Meadows Lane. “With prediabetes, people don’t even know they (have it), and there’s such a small window to try and prevent full-blown onset of diabetes. That’s what we’re trying to capture, that audience.”

The program began in 2010, and ongoing classes are offered at all YMCAs. The inaugural class had eight participants. The program provides a supportive environment where participants work together in a small group to learn about healthier eating and increasing their physical activity in order to reduce their risk for developing diabetes. Sometimes family members sign up and attend with them. Companies also can host the program onsite for their employees.

Type 2 diabetes is treated with lifestyle changes, oral medications and insulin.

“Step One is admitting you have the disease,” Carter said. “I’ve seen two extremes, people who say, ‘OK, I have it, let’s deal with it,’ and the ones who go, ‘No, that’s not me.’ “

“Part of medicine is education; it’s not just handing them a drug, it’s teaching them how to live a healthier life,” said Dr. Kyo Mitchell, a Las Vegas acupuncturist and fan of the YMCA program. “Too often, it’s ‘Something’s wrong. I want a pill.’ That’s not going to solve anything most of the time.”

During the YMCA’s program, participants meet with a counselor for one hour a week for 16 weeks, followed by an hour a month for eight months. Groups are formed whenever there are enough people interested.

The program is $429, which includes YMCA membership, child care and a lifestyle coach. Many insurances cover the program’s cost.

Ed Martin, 65, attended the classes in 2014 and said it helped him lose 23 pounds.

“One of the things they tell you is, everyone thinks it’s carbs (that are bad), but they told how important it is to count your fat grams,” he said. “It makes sense; a fat gram has almost twice as many calories as carbs or protein. They each have four; fat has nine. It was like a light bulb went off.”

Diabetes can bring with it a host of health concerns. High blood pressure — also called hypertension — raises the risk for heart attack, stroke, eye problems and kidney disease. Since stroke is affiliated with diabetes, it is important to maintain target levels for blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol.

The good news? Research by the National Institutes of Health has proved that programs such as the YMCA’s can reduce the number of cases of type 2 diabetes by nearly 60 percent.

“With the high rate of childhood diabetes, if we can get the parents involved in a program like this, a program like this can have a trickle-down effect,” said Cheryl Bella, director of marketing and communications for the YMCA of Southern Nevada.

People with health insurance provided by Health Plan of Nevada or Sierra Health and Life should check with their employer about the availability of programs as a covered benefit, or contact the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance at 800-237-4942 to confirm eligibility.

Individuals who already have been diagnosed with type 1 or 2 diabetes do not qualify for the YMCA program. To confirm that you can participate, email Carter at bcarter@lasvegasymca.org or call 702-522-7435.

For more information about the American Diabetes Association, visit diabetes.org or call 800-342-2383.

Contact Summerlin Area View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 702-387-2949.