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Recently, some folks have achieved and even exceeded their goal of losing weight and exercising more through a diabetes prevention program that is now offered at the Corpening Memorial YMCA. The participants in this class said they want other people in McDowell to realize that they too can make strides in avoiding this chronic disease.

Just a couple of years ago, a community health assessment listed diabetes as one of the most serious health problems in McDowell County.

McDowell has a higher rate of overweight adults than the rest of western North Carolina and the state as a whole and a lower rate of physical activity as well. The prevalence of self-reported adult diabetes has been rising over time in both western North Carolina and McDowell County, according to the data from the 2015 Community Health Assessment.

The assessment said diabetes also affects employability because those who cannot regulate their disease are often unable to work, creating larger problems.

Most importantly, though, it can be prevented.

For five years, the Corpening Memorial YMCA has offered its diabetes prevention program (DPP) but a certain class has made considerable strides in avoiding the disease.

This class is super successful, said Lindsey Thompson, director of population health data management. Its the most successful class in the programs history.

One of the goals for a class is for the participants to lose an average of 7 percent of their body weight. The members of this particular class lost an average of 11 percent of their body weight. They finished their year-long participation in May.

The members of this class are Abby Rumfelt, Dwayne Finley, his wife Pam Finley, Betty English, Carolyn Foster and Joe Williams. Pat Medders was their instructor.

Everyone in the class is pre-diabetic. That means their blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Doctors sometimes refer to pre-diabetes as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG), depending on what test was used when it was detected. This condition puts you at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to the American Diabetes Association.

You have an upfront assessment, said Dwayne Finley. They give you a physical assessment. They look at your A1C and your fasting blood sugar and your family history.

The class takes about an entire year to complete. The participants meet once a week for the first 16 weeks and then biweekly for three times. They then meet once a month for the remaining six months. Each class lasts around an hour.

During the course of the year, the participants learn about eating healthier, which includes checking the labels for foods in the store. What to look for and talk about the importance of watching the types of food you eat, said Dwayne Finley.

The participants are also taught the importance of physical activity. As part of the regimen, they can exercise at the Y or elsewhere. Exercise can mean walking, biking, swimming, climbing or working out. They can exercise together or do it on their own.

Medders lead her class and encouraged them to achieve their goals. She formerly taught Spanish at McDowell High School and has taught classes with DPP for two and a half years now.

Its not a diet, she said. Its a lifestyle change.

In addition to losing body weight, another major goal is for the members to work up to participating in 150 minutes of physical activity per week.

For some members, this seemed rather daunting.

When I started, I could hardly do a couple of laps on the indoor track at the Y, said Rumfelt. Now, I can do a mile and a half and not think about it. And the other people in the group are inspiring.

The support system is a large part of the success, said Thompson.

This particular class exceeded that goal as well and even doubled it. That class did an average of 300 minutes of physical activity per week.

Thompson and the graduates of this class hope that other folks will take advantage of the DPP offered at the local YMCA. The cost to participate in the year-long class is $429 and that includes a family membership in the Y. As an incentive for participating, you get a free family membership. Financial aid is available.

Two new classes will start in August and they will be available for both day and night time.

Andie McClain is the programs coordinator. She evaluates each person before they can participate in the class.

Weve already got a couple of participants in it, said McClain, adding interested folks should contact her soon before the class fills up.

For more information, contact the Corpening Memorial YMCA at 659-9622. You can reach Andie McClain at 575-2901.

Originally posted here:
YMCA's diabetes prevention class exceeds goals - McDowell News

This entry was posted on August 1, 2017 at 2:42 am and is filed under Diabetes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |