100 million Americans?

The CDC’s latest report shows that today, 100 million Americans are living with either diabetes or prediabetes.  In California, 55% – that’s 1 in 2 – are affected. 

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious health condition that affects the pancreas. It is characterized by blood sugar levels that are abnormally high.

• 1 in 10 U.S. adults has diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes accounts for more than 90% of diabetes cases
• Diabetes is a top 10 leading cause of death in the U.S.

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes happens before type 2 diabetes. It is characterized by blood sugar levels that are abnormally high, but not high enough to be diagnosed diabetes.

• 1 in 3 U.S. adults – more than 80 million people – have prediabetes
• Prediabetes may show little or no symptoms
• Only 10% of people with prediabetes actually know they have it

The good news

The good news is that healthy lifestyle practices, such as healthy eating, regular physical activity, and managing stress are shown to reduce the severity of symptoms associated with these conditions, and in some cases may even reverse or prevent the disease. 

The Y is fighting back!

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program effectively reduces diabetes risk in adults who are likely to develop the disease. We focus on small, measurable goals to help participants reduce risk and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Participants spend a year focused on making healthy changes, and are surrounded by supportive people with common goals (8-15 people per group).

Participants receive hands-on guidance from Lifestyle Coaches trained on a CDC-approved curriculum that is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP). 

In our one-year Program:

• Participants lose an average of 5.5% of body weight (about 11 pounds for a 200 lb. person)*
• Participants achieve an average physical activity level of 162.5 minutes per week*
• 93% of participants self-report decreasing portion sizes*

But don’t take our word for it, read this participant’s story

Ready to join?

Check our program schedule and read more here.

YMCA of San Francisco complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

*Based on nation-wide data as of February 2017, n=9,320