Frequently Asked Questions

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• Who is at risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes?

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

  • Are overweight; 
  • Are 45 years of age or older;
  • Smoke; 
  • Have a family history of type 2 diabetes;
  • Are physically active fewer than three times per week;
  • Ever had diabetes while pregnant which disappeared after the delivery (gestational diabetes), or gave birth to a baby that weighed more than nine pounds;
  • Are African American, Latino American, American Indian, or Alaska Native (some Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans are also at higher risk).

   

• Who qualifies for the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) lifestyle change program?

  People who are eligible to participate in the DPP program must be 18 years old or older, and meet the following criteria:

  • Have no previous diagnosis of diabetes, and
  • Have a body mass index (BMI ≥ 25 or ≥ 23 if Asian), and
  • Have not been previously diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and
  • Have a blood value in the prediabetes range within the past year:
    • Hemoglobin A1C of 5.7–6.4%
    • Fasting plasma glucose of 100–125 mg/dL
    • 2h plasma glucose in oral glucose tolerance test of 140–199 mg/dL, or
  • Have a previous diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

   

  Please note: 65% of participants may be considered eligible without a blood test if they screen positive on either the:

  • Prediabetes Screening Test from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the; 
  • Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test from The American Diabetes Association

  People who already have diabetes do not qualify for this program.

  If you have already been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and want to learn how to manage it, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Managing Diabetes webpage.

   

• What can a person do to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes?

  Reduce risk of type 2 diabetes by making healthy changes in your lifestyle. The DPP lifestyle change program is designed to help you learn how to make sustainable healthy lifestyle choices.

   

• What is the National DPP?

  The National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a partnership of public and private organizations that advance type 2 diabetes prevention efforts in the United States. The National DPP was established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and provides an evidence-based framework for diabetes prevention lifestyle change programs throughout the United States. 

   

• What is the DPP lifestyle change program?

  The DPP is a lifestyle change program that helps participants develop healthy behavior changes to promote weight loss. Regardless of where a person signs up for a CDC-recognized DPP lifestyle change program, the program structure is the same. Groups meet once a week for 16 weeks, then once a month for 6 months to maintain healthy lifestyle changes. During each session, a lifestyle coach will teach a lesson and lead a group discussion. 

  For example, a DPP program participant will learn to eat healthy, add physical activity to their life, manage stress, and stay on track when eating out.

  Learn more about the DPP Program.

   

   

• What does it mean to be a CDC-recognized DPP program?

  To ensure that participants receive a high quality and impactful program, the CDC sets standards for organizations that offer the DPP program. The standards include a CDC-approved curriculum, capacity, and commitment to offer the program within 6 months of receiving approval, trained lifestyle coaches, and a designated program coordinator. 

  Requirements for CDC Recognition | National Diabetes Prevention Program | CDC

   

• Where can a person participate in a DPP lifestyle change program?

  Learn more about finding a DPP lifestyle change program that works best for your schedule and location. 

   

• Does the DPP lifestyle change program really work?

  Yes! In fact, the program can help people with prediabetes cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half. A DPP research study showed that making modest behavior changes helped participants lose five to seven percent of their body weight—that is 10 to 14 pounds for a person weighing 200 pounds. The lifestyle changes reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% in people with prediabetes.

   

• Is the DPP lifestyle change program offered in Spanish?

  Yes! Consult the San Diego DPP Program Providers list of the "Find a DPP Lifestyle Change Program" page for information on Spanish program offerings, or learn more at PrevencionDeLaDiabetesSD.org. 

  Take the Test - Prediabetes (Spanish) | Diabetes | CDC

  • Prueba de riesgo de prediabetes (cdc.gov)
  • ¿Qué es la prediabetes? | PodriaTenerPrediabetes.org (doihaveprediabetes.org)

• Can a person participate if they have diabetes?

  Unfortunately, the program is only for individuals who have not been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes are encouraged to maintain their health by working with a primary care physician or endocrinologist as medically indicated.

   

• Can the program be shortened?

  No, the program cannot be shortened. DPP program classes require one hour per week for the first 16 weeks, then one-to-two hours per month for the remainder of the year. To maximize the efficacy of the lifestyle change program, the curriculum requires year long participation.