MADISON – One in three American adults has prediabetes, causing a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. To combat this threat, Crestwood Medical Center will offer free informational sessions, “Preventing Type 2 Diabetes” or PreventT2, on June 27-28.

“The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be prevented. The PreventT2 lifestyle change program can help. PreventT2 is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes,” Kayla Dahl said. Dahl works as Crestwood Outpatient and Wellness Dietitian.

In PreventT2, participants will work in a group with a trained lifestyle coach to learn skills for lasting changes, such as losing a modest amount of weight, increasing physical activity and managing stress.

Beginning July 11, the PreventT2 group will meet for a year — weekly for the first six months, then once or twice each month for the last six months. Most participants enjoy the group support, which makes lifestyle change easier, Dahl said.

Several factors increase chances for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes:

* 45 years of age or older.

* Being overweight.

* Having family history of type 2 diabetes.

* Physically active fewer than three times per week.

* Diagnosis of gestational diabetes during pregnancy or giving birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds. 

PreventT2 is based on research that found people with prediabetes can cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half by losing five to seven percent of their body weight, or about 10 to 14 pounds for a person weighing 200 pounds.

“Small changes make a big difference,” Dahl said. “With a trained lifestyle coach as a guide, you can work with others who have prediabetes to make a change for life.”

Crestwood invites individuals to a free information session about PreventT2 on June 27 at 5:30 p.m. or June 28 at 11 a.m. at Crestwood Women’s Center, 185 Chateau Drive. For a reservation, call Dahl at 256-429-4943 or email kayla.dahl@crestwoodmedcenter.com

For more information about Crestwood Medical Center, call 256-429-4561 or visit crestwoodmedcenter.com. For information about the National Diabetes Prevention Program, visit cdc.gov/PreventT2.