Diabetes Prevention Program

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Alaskans who are at risk for Type 2 diabetes are eligible to join a yearlong lifestyle program aimed at improving their health.

A healthy person has a blood sugar content of 5.7 or lower. However, one in three Americans is estimated to have blood sugar between 5.7 and 6.4 percent, which is considered prediabetes. Any number over 6.5 is diabetic.

“The study that this program came from showed that people who lost five to seven percent of their body weight and maintained at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week decreased their risk for Type 2 diabetes by 58 percent,” Melissa Clampitt, the program leader, explained.

She said the Diabetes Prevention Program focuses on making small, sustainable lifestyle changes that participants will be able to maintain over time. They use a CDC curriculum for both short-term weight loss goals and education on healthy lifestyle choices.

Participants will meet once a week via Zoom starting October 11. After the first 16 weeks they will meet at least once a month. They will also log their exercise times and weight each week.

Participation is limited to adults with prediabetes, and registration closes on September 29. Registration is available at the diabetes prevention website.

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