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Which Kind of Diabetes? Type 1:
Type 2:
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In just the past 30 years, the percentage of children and teens who are overweight has more than doubled. A University of Georgia scientist said many overweight children are among a growing group with type 2 diabetes.
"That's an unusual type of diabetes for children to have," said Janine Freeman, an Extension Service nutrition specialist with the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences. "Type 2 is usually associated with overweight adults."
Type 2 diabetes can be managed by healthy eating and regular physical activity, Freeman said. But it may require medication. Insulin treatment is used if other changes don't bring the diabetes under control.
More overweight kids
Most of the increase in overweight children has been since the late 1970s. It coincides with the rise of video and computer games and other computer uses.
Freeman said children spend an average of almost three and a half hours every day watching television. "Television viewing plays a major role in how much -- or how little -- activity children get," she said.
That lack of physical activity is one of many reasons more children and teens are overweight.
Another big reason is poor eating habits. More than 84 percent of children and teens eat too much fat. More than 91 percent eat too much saturated fat. Almost one-third of all children and teens eat less than one serving per day of a nonfried vegetable.
"Since obesity is a big diabetes factor, we need to try to influence what children eat and how much activity they get," Freeman said. "We know that in this age group, it's sometimes hard to get children to do what's best for their health."
She said studies show minority children have a much higher risk of the disease than Caucasian children. Though scientists don't know why, they believe it's partly because resistance to insulin varies among races at different levels of obesity.
Advice for prevention
But regardless of race, Freeman said staying healthy and within healthy weight ranges can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in children. To help, she offers this advice.
- Set a good example. Children look to their parents and adults close to them for examples in eating and physical activity habits. If you want the kids close to you to make healthy choices, you must also.
- Increase the entire family's activity level.
- Limit television or computer time. Set an hour of play time for every half-hour in front of the TV, computer or video game set.
- Make sure outdoor play equipment is handy and safe. Keep all kinds of balls, safe bicycles or other sports gear ready.
- Notice which activities kids enjoy and encourage them to do them more. Try to find community activities or leagues where they can play with others. Playing with friends can also help build social and leadership skills.
- Play with them. Start family or neighborhood ball games. Go walking or biking together. "Children tend to be like their parents," Freeman said. "Getting them to be more active may mean you need to be more active."
- Make sure everyone has a balanced diet.
- Skip the cookie, soft drink and chip aisles at the grocery store. Stock up on more healthful alternatives like fresh fruits and vegetables. Though fruit drinks are full of vitamins, they pack a lot of sugar and calories.
- Eat at home more. Freeman said it's hard to avoid high-fat food if you eat at fast-food restaurants often. Serve lean meats and lots of fresh vegetables. Try to limit high-fat cooking, too.
"If we can influence our children's behavior, we can reduce the chance they'll get type 2 diabetes," Freeman said. "We owe it to our children to do our part."
More information
You can find more on diabetes from these Web sites:
