Type 2 Diabetes - Children Are Also At Risk for This Disease!
Finding out your child has Type 2 diabetes is one of the most difficult things for a parent to deal with. Here are some answers to questions you may be facing...
Why did my child develop type 2 diabetes? It's hard to tell exactly. There are several risk factors for children developing Type 2 diabetes. Some of the risk factors, like gender, race, and family history, can't be controlled - but the other risk factors can. These include a sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, high blood triglycerides (blood fat), and being overweight or obese.
I also have type 2 diabetes. Is that why my child got it? Your child is slightly more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, since family history and race are risk factors. Researchers aren't sure why, but people who are Native American, African-American, Asian American, or Hispanic are more likely to get Type 2 diabetes. However, lifestyle factors, like your diet, exercise, and weight, actually play a much bigger role in whether or not your child will develop diabetes.
How can I manage my child's diabetes? Your doctor will likely recommend managing your child's diabetes through a healthy diet, exercise, and metformin (an oral medication). Your doctor may also recommend your child takes insulin through injections or an insulin pump.
What diet will my child have to follow? There isn't one specific diabetes diet your child will have to follow. A healthy eating plan - one the whole family can follow - is best. This plan should include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean meat, low-fat dairy, and whole grains. Your child's dietitian can help you make sure the carbohydrate intake is spread out throughout the day, which will help keep blood sugar levels steady.
What type of exercise can my child do? Any type of exercise! Exercise is great for managing Type 2 diabetes. When you child exercises, his body can more easily use glucose for energy, which prevents high blood sugar. Work with your doctor or diabetes care team to figure out how to adjust your child's meal plan and insulin when he exercises.
Can my child's diabetes be reversed? Yes - this is the best news for parents to hear! It's been shown Type 2 diabetes can be reversed through weight loss. It's important to work with a dietitian to help your child lose weight through a combination of a healthy diet and exercise. The dietitian will help make sure your child loses weight safely and slowly - which will make it more likely your child won't gain the weight back. And remember, children are still growing, so just stabilizing your child's weight as he or she grows taller may be all that's necessary.
Why did my child develop type 2 diabetes? It's hard to tell exactly. There are several risk factors for children developing Type 2 diabetes. Some of the risk factors, like gender, race, and family history, can't be controlled - but the other risk factors can. These include a sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, high blood triglycerides (blood fat), and being overweight or obese.
I also have type 2 diabetes. Is that why my child got it? Your child is slightly more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, since family history and race are risk factors. Researchers aren't sure why, but people who are Native American, African-American, Asian American, or Hispanic are more likely to get Type 2 diabetes. However, lifestyle factors, like your diet, exercise, and weight, actually play a much bigger role in whether or not your child will develop diabetes.
How can I manage my child's diabetes? Your doctor will likely recommend managing your child's diabetes through a healthy diet, exercise, and metformin (an oral medication). Your doctor may also recommend your child takes insulin through injections or an insulin pump.
What diet will my child have to follow? There isn't one specific diabetes diet your child will have to follow. A healthy eating plan - one the whole family can follow - is best. This plan should include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean meat, low-fat dairy, and whole grains. Your child's dietitian can help you make sure the carbohydrate intake is spread out throughout the day, which will help keep blood sugar levels steady.
What type of exercise can my child do? Any type of exercise! Exercise is great for managing Type 2 diabetes. When you child exercises, his body can more easily use glucose for energy, which prevents high blood sugar. Work with your doctor or diabetes care team to figure out how to adjust your child's meal plan and insulin when he exercises.
Can my child's diabetes be reversed? Yes - this is the best news for parents to hear! It's been shown Type 2 diabetes can be reversed through weight loss. It's important to work with a dietitian to help your child lose weight through a combination of a healthy diet and exercise. The dietitian will help make sure your child loses weight safely and slowly - which will make it more likely your child won't gain the weight back. And remember, children are still growing, so just stabilizing your child's weight as he or she grows taller may be all that's necessary.
Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.
posted by Peacemate @ 3:18 AM
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