Taylor Family YMCA offer diabetes support program

The Taylor Family YMCA in Elgin will offer the YMCA's Diabetes Support Program - an innovative program proven to reduce the burden of Type 2 diabetes.

The YMCA's Diabetes Support Program uses best practices from Centers for Disease Control-approved curriculum and YMCA Healthy Living Standards to provide those suffering from diabetes or are on the verge of Type 2 diabetes an outlet for nutrition, activity and lifestyle change support.

The three-month program will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, starting Sept. 17 and running though Dec. 17, at the Taylor branch, 50 N. McLean Blvd. Elgin.

The program is held in a small group setting led by a trained lifestyle coach. Programs like the YMCA's Diabetes Support Program have been shown to prevent or delay new cases of Type 2 diabetes by 58 percent and as much as 71 percent in adults over the age of 60.

• More than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes, and 1 in 4 of them don't know they have it.

• More than 84 million U.S. adults - over a third - have prediabetes, and 90% of them don't know they have it.

• Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States (and may be underreported).

• Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90% to 95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes; Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 5%.

• In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled as the American population has aged and become more overweight or obese.

The YMCA's Diabetes Support Program empowers participants to make lasting lifestyle changes that will improve their overall health and reduce their chance of developing Type 2 diabetes, and help reduce the long lasting health complications resulting from Type 2 diabetes.

Cost of the program is $75 for Y members and $100 for nonmembers.

For information, call (847) 888-7410 or contact Kelly Wemken, community wellness coordinator, at kellyw@gcfymca.org.