(D18) Unlocking the Blue Zones: Practical Lifestyle Strategies to Prevent Diabetes
Sunday, August 9, 2026
1:55 PM - 2:40 PM ET
CE: .75 CE
Prediabetes and T2D continue to rise, yet sustaining lifestyle behavior change remains a persistent challenge. Diabetes care and education specialists are well-positioned to deliver person-centered, evidence-based prevention strategies. This session translates core Blue Zones principles—natural movement, plant-forward eating, social connection, stress management, and purpose—into practical, real-world approaches for diabetes prevention and prediabetes care. Attendees will gain actionable tools to integrate these strategies into diabetes self-management education and support, coaching, and community-based programs to enhance engagement, support self-management behaviors, and reduce diabetes risk through sustainable lifestyle change.
Learning Objectives:
At the completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
Describe key Blue Zones lifestyle principles and the evidence supporting their role in diabetes prevention and prediabetes risk reduction.
Apply Blue Zones–informed strategies within diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES), coaching, and prevention programming.
Implement person-centered, behavior change approaches that support self-management, improve engagement, and promote sustainable lifestyle habits.
Disclosure(s):
Kathy Levin, RDN, CDCES, DipACLM: No financial relationships to disclose
