Last Updated: January 2023

Author: Diabetes Program, Vermont Department of Health

Prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetes range, afflicts up to one third of Vermonters; however, only ten percent of prediabetes cases are diagnosed. Increasing diagnosis of prediabetes is crucial to the prevention of diabetes, as the condition can be managed by adopting healthier behaviors such as improved nutrition and increased physical activity.

CDC aerobic physical activity guidelines for adults are 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes vigorous activity per week. Research has shown that the total time spent sitting, or otherwise being physically inactive, has negative consequences for prediabetes and the development of diabetes regardless of whether physical activity guidelines are met.

• Community Health Improvement at the University of Vermont and the Vermont Blueprint for Health are the key partners administering programming that incorporates increasing physical activity for people with prediabetes.
• They collaborate with VDH to establish high level strategies in marketing the Diabetes Prevention Program and increasing participation statewide.
• The Blueprint-funded Regional Coordinators in each health service area along with their Community Health Team colleagues are also key partners; they assist primary care practices in utilizing community-based prevention and self-management programs like the DPP to accomplish the activities and goals of their patient-centered medical homes.
• A website hosted by the Blueprint in collaboration with Community Health Improvement and VDH facilitates the delivery of program information and enrollment statewide: MyHealthyVT
• Community Health Teams and Certified Diabetes Educators are instrumental in facilitating goal setting related to physical activity for many people with prediabetes.

The CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), hosted statewide by the Vermont Blueprint for Health, recognizes the connection between low activity levels and increased chronic disease. The program guides participants through the process of gradually increasing planned activity and leisure time activity as part of the lifestyle change driven curriculum. Participants who successfully implement lifestyle change facilitated by completion the year-long DPP have a 58% reduced incidence of diabetes.