Dozens of people at the YMCA on Sharps Lot Road in Swansea stopped by to talk to Dara Midwood, Program Director  for the Diabetes Prevention Program on World Diabetes Day, November 14, 2016. The Program is being offered by the YMCA Southcoast at their locations in Dartmouth, Fall River, New Bedford and Wareham as well as the Swansea location. Research has shown that 15-30 percent of overweight people with pre-diabetes will develop type2 diabetes within five years unless they lose weight and increase their physical activity. More than 200 Ys across the country help thousands of people reduce their risk for developing type 2 diabetes with the Program. This small-group program helps people with prediabetes eat healthier, increase their physical activity, and lose weight, which can delay or even prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. People at the Swansea location were offered the chance to find out if they are at risk by taking a quick paper and pencil test. Those who were interested were given more information about the program and the opportunity to enroll in the next class. Click here for a four-minute video the program. Click here for photos and video of the opening of the facility in December 2015. For more information about the Diabetes Prevention Program, contact Dara Midwood at 508-508- 996-9622 X 141.

(Top row) Executive Director Jeanine Achin, right, talks with Diabetes Prevention Program Director Dara Midwood at the Swansea YMCA. (Middle row) People talk with Dara to get more information about the program and how to enroll. (Bottom row) Dara explains the purpose of the program and shares some printed informaition with Jeanine and her daughter.