At the end of its successful first year, the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) at the Gleason Family YMCA is starting up again on May 3, and looking for people to sign up.

“It's a one-year program working with a certified lifestyle coach. We meet in 25 small-group sessions.” said Dara Midwood, a certified health instructor at the YMCA.

This Tuesday marked the completion of the first year of the DPP in Wareham. There were a total of eight graduates.

Midwood says in order for another program to start up in Wareham, there will have to be at least eight participants. So far, six have joined.

The fee for the program is $429 and it includes a full-year's membership to the Y. Normally, the cost of membership alone for an adult would be $540.

Eligibility is determined by certain diagnoses or by taking a risk quiz, available at the Y.

The goal for the program is to reduce each individual's weight by 7 percent and incorporate 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week for the purpose of reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

“It is an evidence based program that is backed by the National Institute for Health,” said Midwood.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, in type 1 diabetes, the body is unable to produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body is able to produce insulin but unable to utilize it efficiently.

A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that if the current trend continues, one in three adults in the United States could have type 2 diabetes by 2050. There is no known cure for type 1 diabetes, but there are many ways to slow down, and even prevent, type 2 diabetes.

That's exactly what the DPP aims to do.

“It is a lifestyle balance program- it's not a diet - giving people time to learn and practice the tools and tricks that we have on healthier eating and healthier living, including adding more physical activity in the day- how to fit it in,” said Midwood. “The Y is a perfect venue for that too because we are, pretty much, in everybody's background.”

According to Midwood, making small changes and being physically active could reduce the risk up to 58 percent for adults and up to 71 percent for those over 60 years old.

Lyndsay Parnigoni, one of the graduates of the program, weighed in at 208 at the beginning of the program and is now at 179 pounds.

“I'm better at knowing what I should eat, what I should eat. Versus before, I didn't care. I just ate whatever I wanted to eat, now I actually look and see what's good for me and what's not,” said Parnigoni. “I think the most difficult part what just getting there... making time.”

For Maria Golemo, the biggest reason for her to keep coming to the meetings was the people in the program with her.

“I work a lot, but I came here because of the group,” she said. “You feel an obligation.”

During their celebration on Tuesday in a conference room at the Y, the graduates got together and shared healthy snacks. One of the graduates even brought some homemade granola to share with everyone.

“I think this is a great program and it needs to be promoted,” said Christina Webber, one of the graduates. “I made a lifestyle change because of it.”