Diabetes Prevention Program

The numbers are shocking – 96 million American adults have prediabetes and 80% don’t know they have it. That means 1 in 3 Americans is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes and has no idea. Know your risk level. When it comes to prediabetes, knowledge isn’t just power, it could change the course of your life.

Here’s the good news – type 2 diabetes can often be prevented!

It’s not as hard as you think. With a little exercise and a change in diet, prediabetes often can be reversed, and the YMCA can help! Sign up today for our YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) There you will find a supportive group that understands your struggles and will help keep you motivated.

The best part – the Y’s Diabetes program is covered by most insurance providers so there are no out-of-pocket costs for you! 

TAKE THE RISK QUIZ GET STARTED


  • If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program provides a supportive environment where you will work with others in a small group setting to learn how to adopt healthy habits in order to reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
  • The YMCA program is based on the landmark Diabetes Prevention Program funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This program showed that by eating healthier, increasing physical activity and losing a small amount of weight, a person with prediabetes can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by 58%.
  • You may be eligible to enroll in the YMCA’s Prediabetes Prevention Program at no cost through your health insurance provider. The self-pay fee for the year-long program is $429. For details on the YMCA diabetes prevention program cost, including financial assistance and payment plans, please contact us.


  • You’ll work with a trained lifestyle coach and a small group of people who are all working towards the same goal.
  • It is a 12-month program that starts with 16 weekly meetings.
  • After the initial 16 weekly sessions, you will meet for 3 sessions every other week, and then monthly for up to a year for added support to help maintain your progress.
  • Topics covered include nutrition, getting started with physical activity, overcoming stress, staying motivated, and more.
  • Program goals include reducing body weight by 7% and gradually increasing physical activity to at least 150 minutes per week.
  • This is a proven program to motivate and support people with prediabetes to make practical, real-life changes, and cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by more than half.


  • Age (18 years or older)
  • Not pregnant
  • Overweight – A Body Mass Index of 25 or higher (23 or higher for Asian individuals)
  • Not diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes or ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease)

And have ONE of the following:

  • Qualifying Risk Score (9 or greater) as determined by the risk assessment
  • Qualifying blood glucose test value or diagnosed within the last year with prediabetes via a qualifying blood test value*
    • A1C value 5.7 – 6.4%
    • Fasting glucose 100-125 mg/dL (Medicare must be 110-125 mg/dL)
    • 2-hour plasma glucose 140-199 mg/dL
  • Previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes

* Medicare participants must have a qualifying blood test value to participate as Medicare beneficiaries


Class Locations and Schedules

LOCATIONDAY, TIMEESTIMATED START DATE
Distance LearningFridays at 11:30 a.m.October 11
Bear-Glasgow YMCAFridays at 5:30 p.m.October 11
Brandywine YMCATuesdays at 6:30 p.m.October 15
Middletown YMCATuesdays at 6:30 p.m.October 22
Distance Learning (P&G Employees)Tuesdays at 4 p.m.October 29
Distance LearningWednesdays at 12:30 p.m.November 6
Brandywine YMCAWednesdays at 5 p.m.November 6
Bear-Glasgow YMCAFridays at 6 p.m.November 8
Distance LearningThursdays at 5:30 p.m.November 14
Distance LearningMondays at 6 p.m.December 2nd
Distance LearningThursdays at 1 p.m.December 5th

 

Our Mission


To empower youth, foster healthy living, and promote strong communities.

Junior Coats Basketball League

Practice like the pros! In partnership with the Delaware Blue Coats, the YMCA of Delaware is registering for the Junior Coats Basketball League! Spots are filling up quickly for the upcoming season, learn more and sign up here!

Canned Food & Clothing Drive

The Y is stockpiling winter hats, gloves, scarves, winter coats, canned food, and non-perishable food to give back to those in need throughout our communities from November 4th through November 22nd. Learn more here.

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