The Town of Newtown has obtained a grant from the Connecticut Department of Health to deliver a National Diabetes Prevention Program.

This grant funds type 2 diabetes prevention lifestyle programs to residents and employees of Newtown, Bridgewater, and Roxbury who are at risk of Type 2 Diabetes.

Newtown Health District has selected the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut to implement the yearlong, lifestyle program to qualified Newtown, Bridgewater, and Roxbury residents and employees.

The Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut’s Diabetes Prevention Program helps adults at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles by eating healthier, increasing physical activity, and losing a modest amount of weight in order to reduce their chances of developing the disease.

The program is facilitated by a trained lifestyle coach who works with a small group of participants to adopt healthier behaviors over 25 sessions. The yearlong program consists of 16 weekly sessions followed by three biweekly sessions for the first six months, concluding with six monthly sessions to complete the year.

The program is being supported by and held at Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street.

Anyone interested in learning more was invited to attend one of the in-person information sessions, which were held October 12 and 19, or the virtual October 26 information session, set to start at 6:30 pm. Join the Zoom meeting using Meeting ID 833 0102 0462.

Residents in the region who think they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes and would like additional information on the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program are invited to contact Lisa O’Connor at 203-775-4444, extension 135. For more information, visit regionalymca.org.

Physicians who would like to refer patients to the program can also contact O’Connor or use the secure fax to send referrals, 888-974-0262.