Niagara County Department of Health offers free diabetes prevention program workshops

Submitted by the Niagara County Department of Health

The Niagara County Department of Health nursing division, in collaboration with the Niagara County Office for the Aging, is offering a free diabetes prevention program. This is a 16-week program for people who are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Classes are scheduled in 16 consecutive weekly sessions, then bimonthly for three months and once a month for five months.

This workshop starts Feb. 27 and is scheduled for 4-5 p.m. Tuesdays at Lockport Memorial Hospital’s Community Room, 6001 Shimer Drive. Program participants will learn the skills they need to make lasting changes in health behaviors, such as losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress.

Many people with pre-diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes within three years if they do not take steps to prevent it. This program offers a proven approach to preventing or delaying the onset of Type 2 diabetes through modest lifestyle changes.

To participate in this lifestyle change program, you will need to meet all four these requirements: 

√ Be 18 years or older 

√ Have a body max index of 25 or higher 

√ Not be previously diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes 

√ Not be pregnant

You will additionally need to meet one of these requirements: 

√ Had a blood test result in the prediabetes range within the past year 

√ Be previously diagnosed with gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) 

√ Received a high-risk result (score of 5 or higher) on the prediabetes risk test

Individuals with pre-diabetes can register for the diabetes prevention program by calling Stacy Knott, MS. Ed., NCDOH nursing operations manager, at 716-278-8596.

For information on how participating in the workshops can help you prevent diabetes, please visit www.niagaracounty.com/diabetesprevention.