A new program is being launched in the St. John’s region to help people reverse their body’s march toward type 2 diabetes.

About 2.5-million Canadians live with prediabetes, but the program “Small Steps for Big Changes” can help reverse the trend through lasting exercise and dietary change.

The 4-week program is available at YMCAs across Canada including the Ches Penney Family Y in St. John’s.

Dr. Katie Wadden, who is with the Faculty of Human Kinetics and Recreation at Memorial University, is the program’s Eastern Canada Regional Research Lead. She says prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Wadden says without intervention, people with prediabetes are at increased risk of progressing to type 2.