Registration required for this year-long class

Boulder County, Colo. - More than 84.1 million people, or one-in-three adults in the U.S., have prediabetes. In Boulder County alone more than 65,000 people have prediabetes. Ninety percent don’t even know they have it. Could you be one of them?

Prediabetes occurs when your blood sugar is elevated, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. The bad news is that prediabetes increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The good news is that if you lose weight, adopt healthier eating habits, and become more active, you can cut your risk of getting Type 2 diabetes in half.

The Boulder County Area Agency on Aging is offering a Diabetes Prevention Program beginning with an intro session on Thursday, Sept. 19, followed by regular classes on Sept. 26. It is a national program developed by the Centers for Disease Control. Over the course of this year-long program, participants get the support they need to learn how to make changes that will last.

What: Diabetes Prevention Program

When: Begins Thursday, Sept. 19, from noon to 1 p.m.

Where: East Boulder Senior Center, 5660 Sioux Dr, Boulder

Registration and a diagnosis of prediabetes are required. To find out if you qualify, and for more information, please contact Melissa Pruitt at 303-441-4583, or mpruitt@bouldercounty.org.

Since the Boulder County program began, participants have lost more than 1,000 pounds in all. A person who joined the class two months ago said she has learned to concentrate on socializing and enjoying time with her family when they are out together, rather than doing a lot of mindless eating.