YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program, and designed to help those at high risk adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles and reduce their chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Take this simple self-assessment to see if you qualify for the program.

The YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program classes are offered free of charge to qualified participants thanks to a partnership with the Department of Vermont Health Access and the Vermont Alliance of YMCAs.

To read more about the evidence and research that support the success of the Y Diabetes Prevention Program, click here.

Diabetes is a serious health condition that can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, high blood pressure, and blindness.  Prediabetes is a potentially reversible condition that often leads to diabetes. It is estimated that 79 million people in the United States have prediabetes.

Prediabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with prediabetes are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. An estimated one of every three U.S. adults has prediabetes, yet just 7%  of those with prediabetes know they have it.

Our Diabetes Prevention Program is based on the landmark Diabetes Prevention Program funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which showed that by eating healthier, increasing physical activity and losing a small amount of weight, a person with pre-diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by 58%.

In a classroom setting, a trained lifestyle coach facilitates a small group of participants in learning about healthier eating, physical activity and other behavior changes over the course of 16 one-hour sessions. Topics covered include healthier eating, getting started with physical activity, overcoming stress, staying motivated, and more. After the initial 16 core sessions, participants meet monthly for added support to help them maintain their progress.

We currently offer one YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program per year in Springfield and Brattleboro. We hope to expand the number of offerings and number of sites in the years ahead.

For more information on the YMCA's Diabetes Prevention Program, please contact our office at 802-463-4769 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..