Kids Get Diabetes-Related Problems Early

We've always known that diabetes was a dangerous disease. And in recent years, it's been affecting children more and more. A study published last year in the medical journal called The Lancet confirmed what many of us in the health field feared: that children with type 2 diabetes are developing further health problems at early ages. According to the study, many kids already have some of the hallmark side effects of diabetes such as high blood pressure, kidney problems, or early eye damage when they are first diagnosed with the diabetes.

Here's what my colleague, Dr. Henry H. Bernstein, wrote in reaction to the study: 

The hormone insulin works to get sugar out of the bloodstream and into the tissues, where it can be burned for energy. In a person with type 2 diabetes the insulin can't do its job well. As a result, there are high levels of sugar in the blood. This leads to urinating too much and being thirsty and hungry all the time.

Over time, everyone with type 2 diabetes is at increased risk for other diseases. For example, studies show that children with type 2 diabetes are more likely to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Eye damage, which can lead to blindness if untreated, and kidney damage are also more common in type 2 diabetics.

Other complications include liver disease, hardening of the blood vessels and a decreased quality of life.

What a parent can do

If you think your child may be overweight, first talk with the pediatrician. After measuring your child's height and weight, the doctor can calculate your child's body mass index (BMI) and compare it with the national growth charts. Knowing your child's sex, age and body type, the pediatrician can use these charts to see if your child is overweight. This can help the doctor suggest a good target weight range for your child.

Being overweight and not exercising at least three times per week greatly increase the chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes also tends to run in families. It is more common in certain ethnic groups as well. These include African-American, American Indian, Asian-American, Pacific Islander and Hispanic-American/Latino.

People at high risk of type 2 diabetes can delay or possibly prevent it from ever happening by:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Getting regular exercise
• Keeping BMI low
• Keeping blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy levels 

Diet and exercise should be a bigger part of every child's (and adult's) life. There are things that parents can do to help their children (and themselves) prevent and treat obesity.

To eat healthfully:

• Eat meals together as a family whenever possible.
• Do not watch television while eating.
• Except for special occasions, offer only healthy foods.
• Do not skip meals. People who do this tend to eat more at the next meal.
• Try to eat at least five servings of fruits and non-starchy vegetables each day.
• Limit foods with lots of fat or sugar, such as fast food, pizza, fatty meats, cakes, cookies, candy, soda and juices.

To be more active:

• Try to do something active for at least 30 minutes on most days.
• Walk whenever possible to school, to the store, to the library, at the mall and around the block after dinner.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Plan family activities that involve exercise, such as bicycling, dancing, hiking and swimming.
• Limit television, computer and video game time to an average of one hour per day.

How many of the above tips do you follow every week? What else are you doing to keep you and your child healthy?

Julie K. Silver, M.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. She is also the Chief Editor of Books for Harvard Health Publications.

Healthy Eating
As research continues to show links between diet and diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, it's clear that "eating a balanced diet" is no longer the most important nutrition goal. With Healthy Eating: A guide to the new nutrition, a special report from Harvard Medical School, learn how the latest research has resulted in a new healthy eating pyramid, a new concept of good fats and bad fats, and a greater understanding of how foods  influence health and longevity. Use this research to make the perfect healthy diet plan for you.

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