World Diabetes Day is celebrated on November 14, with the aim of raising awareness about this disease and promoting access to adequate medical care to prevent and control it, thereby reducing the complications and premature deaths associated with it.
Type 2 diabetes in children: Risk factors
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin or does not use it properly, causing high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. This occurs because cells do not respond correctly to insulin, a process called “insulin resistance,” and over time the pancreas exhausts its ability to produce more insulin to compensate.
Many people think that only adults can develop type 2 diabetes, but children and adolescents can also develop it.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), type 2 diabetes is currently on the rise among children and adolescents in the United States.
Risk factors in children and adolescents include:
- According to the CDC, approximately one-third of young people in the United States are overweight. This does not automatically mean that they are unhealthy, but it does increase their risk of certain diseases, such as insulin resistance.
- Not being physically active increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Physical activity helps the body use insulin better and lowers the risk of becoming overweight.
- Children with type 2 diabetes are usually diagnosed in early adolescence. One reason is that hormones during puberty make it harder for the body to use insulin. This is especially true for girls, who are more likely than boys to develop type 2 diabetes.
- Having a family member with type 2 diabetes.
- If the mother had diabetes during pregnancy.
- Having high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Prevention through diet
- Drink more water and fewer sugary drinks.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables.
- Make favorite foods healthier by substituting them with whole grains, lean meats, and more vegetables.
- Involve children in preparing healthier meals.
- Eat only at the dining table instead of in front of the TV or computer.
- Teach your children to understand food labels.
- Eat meals together as a family as often as possible.
- Avoid insisting that children finish everything on their plate.
- Reward children with praise and encouraging words instead of food.
Prevention through physical activity
- Aim for your children to get 60 minutes of physical activity per day (it doesn’t have to be all at once).
- Make physical activity more fun: try new things.
- Ask your children what activities they enjoy most. All children are different.
- Limit screen time whenever possible.
- Plan outings that involve physical activities such as walking, hiking, or biking.
- Turn chores into games whenever possible, with healthy rewards.
