Check out USDA's "Eat Smart. Play Hard" website http://www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhard/ for great resources for kids, parents and educators

Diabetes Alert – Is My Child at Risk?

As a parent or adult who cares for young children, the numerous media reports about the rising rates of obesity and Type 2 diabetes among children can be alarming. Research tells us that children who are overweight are more likely to become overweight adults. In addition to the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in childhood, they also are more likely to develop high blood pressure, heart disease, and other illnesses that can follow them into adulthood. 

As a concerned adult, you probably have lots of questions.  Below are some answers to questions parents and caregivers usually ask.  

What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease involving problems with how the body produces and uses the hormone insulin.  Insulin is produced by the pancreas and acts to control blood glucose levels by helping glucose move into the cells of the body where it is used to produce energy.  Glucose is a form of sugar  released from the foods we eat when they are digested. In a person with diabetes, the pancreas stops making insulin or the body doesn’t use insulin very well.  So glucose builds up in the blood and can’t get into your cells.  Blood sugar levels that are out of control can lead to serious vessel and organ damage.

Type 1

Is an autoimmune disease that destroys the body’s ability to produce insulin. Insulin is  produced in the pancreas and is needed to transport sugar from the blood into the cells to maintain energy for normal growth and development. Type 1 is usually diagnosed under age 35. There is no prevention of Type 1 Diabetes and there is no cure. Insulin is needed for survival. Children and adults with Type 1 Diabetes need to take multiple daily insulin injections or wear an insulin pump for their entire life.

Type 2

In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still makes some insulin but the body can’t use it very well.  The majority of people with Type 2 Diabetes are overweight adults over age 40.  Previously referred to as “adult onset diabetes,” this is no longer the case and the growing number of children and adolescents who are at high risk for developing Type 2 threatens to become a world wide health crisis. Type 2 Diabetes in kids and adults can be prevented.

Why do you get Type 2 Diabetes?

Being overweight increases the risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes. Children diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes tend to be overweight. Excess body fat plays a role in the body’s resistance to the effects of insulin.   Kids who are not active or who have a family member with diabetes are more likely to get it.  Some racial and ethnic groups have a greater chance of getting diabetes, including  American Indians, African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Can Type 2 Diabetes be delayed or prevented?

Yes! The good news is that this form of diabetes is linked closely to physical inactivity and obesity – two factors you can do something about.

Children should be physically active most, if not all, days of the week.  Experts suggest at least 60 minutes of exercise for almost all kids.  Walking fast, bicycling, jumping rope, dancing, and playing basketball are all good ways for your child to be active. The calories burned with exercise help prevent excessive weight gain and being physically fit makes insulin work more effectively in the body to control blood sugar. 

Proceed with caution about putting your child on a calorie-restricted diet unless your health care provider tells you to.  Because children grow at different rates at different times, it’s not always easy to tell if a child is overweight.  It is normal for a child to have a growth spurt in weight and catch up in height later.  Your physician can measure your child’s height and weight and tell you if your child is in a healthy range for his or her gender and age.  

So what else can you do as a concerned parent in this rising prevalence of obesity and Type 2 Diabetes?

Be ready to make changes at home as a family. Try replacing old comfortable and familiar habits with a few healthier ones, one step at a time.

Control the types of foods you have available in your home rather than controlling the amount of less nutritious foods eaten by family members.

Keep the focus on health not  weight.

• Eating and mealtimes should be pleasurable.
• Make the time count by eating slowly and focusing on time shared as a family.
• Eat as many meals together as a family at the table, rather than in front of the TV.
• Introduce skim milk or 1% milk as a replacement for soda or other high caloric drinks.

Remember food is not the enemy. Children should not fear food or fear getting fat. Food is a good thing and should be an enjoyed.

Be a role model and feel comfortable about food and food choices yourself. Try not to make your problems and issues about food a family matter.

Include more fruits and vegetables as daily food choices.

Say no to SUPERSIZING!

Plan and start family activities that can make all family members more active.

--- Try using pedometers to increase daily activity and log steps as a family everyday until walking more becomes a new habit. We can help you get started by sending you a free pedometer. Email your name and mailing address by Clicking here.

As a parent, grandparent or caregiver try not to overreact to your fears of this diabetes /obesity health crisis related to your own childhood weight nightmares. Sometimes overreaction can promote the very problems we are trying to avoid.

As a parent, grandparent or caregiver in a already busy, complicated and hectic world, we know how hard it to raise  a healthy family and hope these tips can help you as you join  our efforts to reduce this Type 2 Diabetes epidemic.

Teach your children by example and they will lead the way into a healthier world free from Type 2 Diabetes. You don’t have to wait to get diabetes to make a few lifestyle changes.

--- For more information about Childhood Obesity and prevention of Type 2 Diabetes you can print our “Close the Door on Childhood Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes, Open the Door to Healthier Kids and Families" Click here. To request one or mulitple copies be sent to you Click here.

--- If your child has been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and you would like to receive more information , we will send to you a copy of the American Diabetes Association’s pamphlet, “Your Child Has Type 2 Diabetes”.

*** All materials are free of charge with funding provided by a grant from the NYS Department of Health, Diabetes Prevention and Control Program.