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Type II Diabetes in Children Increasing at Alarming Rate January 28, 2002 - 2:57 PM by Head News Manager | Category:
Diabetes |
July 5, 1999
Type II Diabetes in Children Increasing at Alarming Rate
Used to be that diabetes Type II was considered a middle-age disease. Researchers from both Canada and the United States report that Type II diabetes is already a problem for some children—and a growing one.
Speaking at the 59th Scientific Session of the American Diabetes Association meeting, physicians taking care of widely disparate groups of children all agreed on one thing. They're seeing more and more children who are obese, watch more than five hours of TV per day, rarely exercise, and eat poor diets (low in fiber). These are the same factors that lead adults into diabetes.
When this trend in children was first noted in the 1980s, minority populations, such as African Americans, Mexican Americans, or Canada's aboriginal tribes seemed to be the ones affected. However, in recent years, Type II diabetes has been showing up in all groups of children, including those of European and Asian descent.
As with other age groups, girls outnumber the boys two to one when it comes to diabetes. The exception seems to be among Asian populations where male diabetics are more common.
Children with diabetes are subject to all the complications that plague adult diabetics. They also have additional problems since they are subject to the hormonal changes of growth and puberty.
Physicians recommend that preventative measures might be the best way to handle this new high-risk group. Parents can encourage regular exercise, a balanced diet low in simple carbohydrates and high in fiber, and less time in front of the TV or computer. Community support is highly valuable in providing physical activities for children, and nutritional foods in the schools.c
Physicians need to know that Type II diabetes is on the march in children, at least in the United States and Canada. Early diagnosis and aggressive disease management are key factors in preventing the many serious complications that can arise from this disease.
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Source: Type II Diabetes in Children Increasing at Alarming Rate
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