New programs are available at a local health center for those who have diabetes. A new diabetes prevention program has started at the Mohawk Valley Health System.

Health risks associated with diabetes are serious. The condition can happen either genetically or people acquire it due to years of bad eating habits.

Talking about the new program, Caroline Jacobus, a certified diabetes educator, said that the program teaches how a diabetic person can lose weight in a healthy manner. "The program goals would be to teach people how to eat more balanced meals, to teach them how to effectively lose weight, and in particular about a 7 percent weight reduction", said Jacobus.

Main highlight of the program is that it is turning new actions into daily habits. The program would continue for more than a year, as the officials are aware of the fact that learning does not come in few days.

Experts think that because many people do not exhibit any signs of illness with high blood sugar, type-2 diabetes diagnosis becomes difficult. Therefore, attention is not caught, but the damage is being done inside the body.

But the method being used in the program helps in reducing appetite, which is also known as the portion plate. In the program, patients will be monitored while they continually adopt healthy habits for the long run.

In addition to portion controlled meals, experts have suggested around 150 minutes a week of physical activity. Both the things adopted in day-to-day life can reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes.

Not only programs, there are many local health departments that have been urging the residents to take the diabetes risk test. The Allegheny County Health Department has asked people to take the organization's online Diabetes Risk Test.