Wyoming Department of Health Continues Its Virtual Diabetes Prevention Program after Successful Start

The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) will continue to offer its “no-cost” and home-based virtual diabetes prevention program known as #PreventDiabetes to residents at risk for the disease.

Courtesy of the Wyoming Department of Health

Chronic Disease Prevention Program manager, Amber Nolte, with WDH says, “residents participating in the program, which began last year, have seen successes with a huge ripple effect in the quality of life for themselves and their families.”

According to WDH, #PreventDiabetes is a year-long, home-based program designed to help individuals lose weight and reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes. The program uses educational video sessions, app-based coaching, progress tracking, provided smart scale, cash incentives for weight loss, the support of a certified diabetes lifestyle coach, and more.

One participant mentioned the program’s meal suggestions, saying “…they worked well for me.  The other thing that I love about the program is the weekly weigh-ins.  The weigh-ins work well for me by making me more accountable. I also love that a scale is provided with the program.”

Another participant said, “My health is much better since I began the program.  My joints do not hurt like they did before and I am eating differently…”

Enrollment in #PreventDiabetes is available and free for any Wyoming resident over the age of 18 who is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Risk factors include the following: being 45 years or older, family history of type 2 diabetes, history of gestational diabetes, being overweight or obese, having high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Nolte said one in three American adults has prediabetes, which is when a person’s blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

“We know prediabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form of diabetes,” Nolte says. “Unfortunately, most people with prediabetes don’t realize it so we want to help them learn if they are at risk and then give them the tools to do something about it.”

People concerned can try a simple online screening test to learn about their personal risk offered by the CDC here.

Diabetes is currently the seventh-leading cause of death in the United States. Type 2 diabetes can lead to a higher risk of serious health problems, including:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Blindness
• Kidney failure
• Loss of toes, feet, or legs