CDC-Recognized Remote Diabetes Prevention Program Now Available
By Arvind Sommi
A remote diabetes prevention program from Fruit Street that gives people with diabetes one-on-one dietician support, live group sessions, and a Fitbit scale and activity tracker to monitor progress is now being offered to anyone – even those whose insurance plans are not partners.
Fruit Street is one of the partners in the National Diabetes Prevention Program through both in-person and telehealth options to those with insurance that would pay for it. A recent change means that people can sign up and pay for this program even without insurance that covers it.
In addition, the direct-to-consumer option does not require people to attend in-person classes but instead provides a remote learning option.
What is the significance of the National Diabetes Prevention Program?
Prediabetes is when your A1C is higher than 5.7 but less than 6.5, the threshold for type 2 diabetes. This is very common among older individuals and affects approximately one-third (96 million) of American adults.
Having prediabetes increases your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. In an effort to delay or prevent this serious condition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP). The program has achieved promising results by encouraging positive lifestyle changes, such as exercising more frequently. Participants with prediabetes who committed to the year-long program reduced their risk for type 2 diabetes by over 58% and reduced their weight by about 5%.
What role does Fruit Street play?
Fruit Street develops the NDPP class curriculum, which consists of 26 live sessions for a group of about 30 participants per program. Classes cover topics such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, and how to use the Fitbit scale and activity tracker to monitor weight. The program also provides participants with one-on-one nutritional sessions with a dietician.
Additionally, Fruit Street encourages participants to set weekly goals, upload photos of their meals to receive personalized feedback, and text other group members or their dietician between classes.
To learn more about Fruit Street’s direct-to-consumer option and determine your risk for prediabetes, check out their website. The full one year program, including the Fitbit Aria Air scale and Fitbit Inspire 2 activity tracker, costs $500.
