An alarming trend is emerging among people with Type 2 diabetes (also called adult onset diabetes): these people are increasingly children and adolescents. Most experts link this trend to the increasing obesity rates in American children.
There are two types of diabetes. Type 1, also called juvenile diabetes, is usually diagnosed during childhood. In this type of diabetes, a flaw in the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells, and insulin injections are almost always required to control this disease.
The other kind of diabetes, Type 2, is primarily diagnosed in adults over 40. While genetic factors play a role and some ethnicities are at greater risk for this disease, Type 2 diabetes is called adult onset because it usually comes on gradually, often triggered by chronic obesity, a poor diet and a lack of exercise. Alarmingly, Type 2 diabetes is being diagnosed in children with these same health issues.
“The rise in Type 2 diabetes in children is disturbing,” says Richard L. Byrd, M.D., Chief, Department of Pediatrics at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. “When children begin acquiring ‘middle-age’ diseases, we know we have a problem on our hands.”
Type 2 diabetes has been linked to heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, kidney disease, blindness and other complications. Generally, once an adult has Type 2 diabetes, these risk factors typically exist. “Undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents may place these young people at early risk for complications,” says Dr. Byrd. “However, this situation is somewhat new, so we don’t yet have the long-term research and data to define the scope of this problem.”
According to the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP), about 176,500 Americans under 20 years of age have diabetes. However, the percentage of children with newly diagnosed diabetes classified as Type 2 has increased from less than five percent before 1994 to 30 to 50 percent in subsequent years. NDEP is a partnership of the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and more than 200 public and private organizations.
“Most children and adolescents diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese, insulin resistant, and have a family history of Type 2 diabetes,” says Dr. Byrd. “This information on the diabetic profile can help pediatricians identify at-risk kids earlier, and hopefully offer suggestions to delay or avoid full-blown diabetes.”
So, what can parents do? “First, if your child seems to be overweight and you have a family history of Type 2 diabetes, talk to your child’s pediatrician about your concerns,” says Dr. Byrd. Additionally, you can click here to learn about the signs and symptoms of diabetes.
If your child does have Type 2 diabetes (or a condition that usually precedes diabetes called pre-diabetes), chances are that it can be controlled with lifestyle changes: losing weight, eating healthy and getting more exercise. “These changes will be easier for your child if the entire family engages in healthier habits,” advises Dr. Byrd. Here are a few ideas to consider:
- Take a good look at your family’s eating habits. Does your family buy a lot of pre-packaged junk food like chips, cookies, pastries and sugar-sweetened drinks, including sports drinks? If so, try to substitute fresh fruit and low-fat protein like cheese and yogurt, as snacks. Also, reduce or eliminate fast food. Meals should be a balance of lean meats, vegetables and whole grain starches.
- Try to structure family time that doesn’t revolve around food or sedentary activities like watching TV. For example, after dinner, make it a habit to walk or ride bikes together. On the weekends, go with your kids to a park to play ball, climb trees or whatever exercise or games the kids can dream up.
For more information about treating Type 2 diabetes in children, go to the NDEP’s Web site at http://www.ndep.nih.gov.
