Research-Based Prevention Program

A CDC-recognized lifestyle change program is a structured program—in person or online—developed specifically to prevent type 2 diabetes. It is designed for people who have prediabetes or are at risk for type 2 diabetes, but who do not already have diabetes.

A trained lifestyle coach leads the program to help you change certain aspects of your lifestyle, like eating healthier, reducing stress, and getting more physical activity. The program also includes group support from others who share your goals and struggles.

This lifestyle change program is not a fad diet or an exercise class. And it’s not a quick fix. It’s a year-long program focused on long-term changes and lasting results.

A year might sound like a long commitment, but learning new habits, gaining new skills, and building confidence takes time. As you begin to eat better and become more active, you’ll notice changes in how you feel, and maybe even in how you look.

To learn more about what it’s like to be in a lifestyle change program, visit The Lifestyle Change Program Details. Or watch "A Change for Life" video describing the program.

Improve Your Health
The lifestyle change program can help you lose weight through eating better and being more physically active. You will also learn how to reduce stress. All of these things will help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and of having a heart attack or stroke.

Feel Better and More Energetic
Many participants say they feel better and are more active than they were before the program. Imagine having more energy to do the things you love.

Be Part of Something Bigger
By joining a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program, you can be part of the national movement to prevent type 2 diabetes. Fewer cases of type 2 diabetes in the United States means healthier communities; a healthier, more productive workforce; and lower health care costs for everyone. To learn more about the national diabetes prevention effort, visit What Is the National DPP?

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Research shows: These Programs work!

CDC-recognized lifestyle change programs are proven to work. They are based on research led by the National Institutes of Health.

This research [PDF - 558 KB] showed that people with prediabetes who take part in a structured lifestyle change program can cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% (71% for people over 60 years old). This finding was the result of the program helping people lose 5% to 7% of their body weight through healthier eating and 150 minutes of physical activity a week. For a person who weighs 200 pounds, losing 5% to 7% of their body weight means losing just 10 to 14 pounds. It doesn’t take a drastic weight loss to make a big impact.

And the impact of this program can last for years to come. Research has found that even after 10 years, people who completed a diabetes prevention lifestyle change program were one third less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

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CDC only recognizes programs that meet quality standards.

Organizations that wish to offer CDC-recognized lifestyle change programs must submit an application and meet certain standards—such as having trained lifestyle coaches and using a CDC-approved curriculum. This ensures the programs are of high quality.

Programs must also track results and send data to CDC each year to show that they are having an impact on preventing or delaying type 2 diabetes. CDC reviews these data and provides feedback to the program.

With a CDC-recognized program, you can be sure that the work you put in will pay off. CDC-recognized lifestyle change programs work so well, in fact, that many employer-sponsored health plans and some Medicare and Medicaid plans cover them.

Learn more by visiting Requirements for CDC Recognition.

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Get started preventing or delaying type 2 diabetes today!

First, find out if you are at risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Take our online quiz or print off a prediabetes screening test [PDF- 757KB].

If you are at high risk, talk to a health care professional about getting a blood sugar test.

If you have prediabetes , join a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program. Visit the Find a Program section to find a local or online CDC-recognized lifestyle change program that works for you.

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