Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

On This Page

• About Type 2 Diabetes
• About the PreventT2 Program
• Attend a Program

About Type 2 Diabetes

What is prediabetes?

Before diabetes is diagnosed, most adults have prediabetes, which is an elevated amount of blood sugar. One in three American adults has prediabetes. If you are one of them, you can develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years if you don’t do anything about it.

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, is a chronic health condition where your body doesn’t use insulin well and can’t keep blood sugar at normal levels. It can lead to health issues such as heart attack; stroke; blindness; kidney failure; or loss of toes, feet, or legs

Am I at risk?

You are at increased risk for developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if you:

• Are 45 years of age or older
• Are overweight
• Have a family history of type 2 diabetes
• Do not exercise
• Ever had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes) or gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds.

To determine your risk, take the Prediabetes Risk Test and contact a health care provider for a blood test. 

Can I prevent type 2 diabetes?

The good news is that type 2 diabetes is preventable, and you do not have to do it alone. Our PreventT2 lifestyle change program can help you take charge of your health to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

About the Program

What is PreventT2?

PreventT2 is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is proven to help people with prediabetes prevent or delay development of type 2 diabetes. UGA Extension agents help lead groups through this program.

What are the benefits?

As part of a PreventT2 group, you will work with other participants and a trained lifestyle coach to learn the skills you need to make lasting changes. These changes include losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active, and managing stress. Being part of a group provides support from other people who are facing similar challenges and trying to make the same changes you are. Together you can celebrate successes and find ways to overcome obstacles.

What is the format of PreventT2?

PreventT2 is based on a curriculum developed by the CDC. Groups meet for a year — weekly for the first 6 months, then once or twice a month for the second 6 months to maintain healthy lifestyle changes. During each session, your lifestyle coach will teach a lesson and lead a group discussion.

For example, you will learn to:

• Eat healthy
• Add physical activity to your life
• Manage stress
• Stay on track when eating out
• Understand and respond to your food cues
• Stay motivated
• Solve problems that can get in the way of healthy changes

Does it work?

The PreventT2 program can help people with prediabetes cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half. The Diabetes Prevention Program research study showed that making modest behavior changes helped participants lose 5 to 7 percent of their body weight — that is 10 to 14 pounds for a person weighing 200 pounds. These lifestyle changes reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent in people with prediabetes.

Video: Mike's Prediabetes Journey

Want to Attend a PreventT2 Program?

You have two options for participation in the program. You can attend in person from counties that are supported. Or you can attend virtually from any county in Georgia.

Attend virtually

Contact us and let us know that you're interested in PreventT2 . We'll then give you the next steps on attending a virtual training.

Contact us

Attend in person

Identify your county below and contact the agent to attend an in-person training.

If you have questions about this program please contact Ali Berg, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences.