Snow Hill, MD- There are many reasons to stay healthy, including your family, job, and favorite hobbies. If you have prediabetes, you can make healthy changes and prevent type 2 diabetes from developing in the future. In Worcester County Health Department’s Lifestyle Balance Diabetes Prevention Program, a trained coach will help you and a group of people like you learn how to lose weight, become more physically active, and reduce stress.

If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes or have a history of gestational diabetes, this program is proven to help you improve your eating habits, increase your daily activity, lose weight, and reduce your chance of developing type 2 diabetes. On average, participants lose 5-7 percent of their body weight.

The Lifestyle Balance: Diabetes Prevention Program will allow you to learn about healthy eating, exercise, and weight loss. It is a year-long group program that will be offered throughout the county online and in-person, beginning in September. Classes will be held at the following locations:

Online Classes: 5:00pm-6:00pm., Wednesdays (September 14, 2022-September 13, 2023) through a distant learning platform.

Pocomoke Library: 5:00pm-6:00pm., Tuesdays (October 18, 2022-October 23, 2023) at 301 Market St. Pocomoke, MD 21851.

Snow Hill Library: 5:00pm-6:00pm., Thursdays (October 20, 2022-October 23, 2023) at 307 N. Washington St. Snow Hill, MD 21863.

Berlin Library: 9:00am-11:00am., Mondays (November 7, 2022-November 6, 2023) at 13 Harrison Ave. Berlin, MD  21811.

You will participate in 16-weekly sessions followed by once-a-month support sessions for the remainder of one year. In addition, you will receive one-on-one coaching and support, learn about healthy eating and active living, lose weight, earn weekly prizes, improve health, and participate in group discussions with others to help encourage them during their healthy lifestyle journey. 

“People with prediabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The good news is that it can be prevented. These programs are being offered throughout the county so that residents can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes which also contributes to the onset of other chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.” said Crystal Bell, Chronic Disease and Tobacco Supervisor at Worcester County Health Department.

Please call 410-632-1100 ext.1108 to discuss program enrollment and eligibility. To find out if you’re at risk for prediabetes, take the prediabetes risk test today at www.DoIHavePrediabetes.org. Local prediabetes resource guides are also available for free download at https://www.worcesterhealth.org/prevention-menu/42-program-section/prevention-program/1770-diabetes-prevention-education.