Y Diabetes Prevention Program

Located in Absecon, NJ, the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program is dedicated to empowering individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes to adopt sustainable, healthy lifestyles and significantly reduce their risk. Grounded in the evidence-based strategies of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, our program demonstrates that a modest weight loss through improved nutrition and increased physical activity can lower the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes by 58%. Participants benefit from a supportive classroom environment led by trained lifestyle coaches over the course of 16 engaging sessions, covering essential topics such as nutrition, initiating physical activity, stress management, and motivation. As a follow-up, monthly meetings for up to a year provide ongoing encouragement and guidance, enabling participants to solidify their health improvements and sustain their progress long-term.