A Scary Trend In Adolescents: Diabetes

Filed in archive News on May 8, 2006

Does a day go by when we aren't bombarded with statistics lamenting the rapid rise of diabetes in the world? The scariest aspect of this is how quickly it is being diagnosed in children. Another study backs those fears: Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent than ever among adolescents.

Some 39,000 adolescents in the United States already have obesity-linked type 2 diabetes, and nearly 2,770,000 more may have blood sugar levels that could spur diabetes and other health problems, researchers report.

"Steps to prevent and treat the substantial number of adolescents who have impaired fasting glucose [blood sugar] from developing type 2 diabetes are required now," said lead researcher Glen E. Duncan, an assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Nutritional Sciences Program at the University of Washington in Seattle. "These steps are well known and well established preventative measures -- namely to increase daily physical activity levels and improve nutrition, and to avoid excess body weight."

It's hard to make changes for ourselves, but what about for our children? Let's do everything we can to introduce them to a healthy lifestyle. What tips can you share?

(Photo Source: Honor Level)