If you've seen the headlines recently about the alarming increase of Type 2 diabetes among children and teens, you may be concerned about the possibilit yof your child developing diabetes. It's a very real worry. Researchers estimate that 1 of every 3 children born in the year 200 will develop Type 2 diabetes during his lifetime. However, diabetes is largely preventable. Knowing the risk factors can help you instill good eating and lifestyle habits in your child from the very start.
A Little About Diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes that affect the general population. Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes and insulin dependent diabetes, which occurs when the body can not produce sufficient insulin for its needs. Insuline dependent diabetes is also known as Type 2 diabetes. While there is a great deal of promising research being done in the field of diabetes, there is currently no cure for either type. It is possible, however, to slow the progress or prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes.
People with Type 2 diabetes may produce insulin, but their bodies don't use it properly for one or more reasons. It has always been known as "adult onset diabetes", and used to be called "sugar diabetes", or more colloquially, "the sugar". Until recently, Type 2 diabetes was considered to be a disease that affects those of middle age and older, but in recent years, the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in children and teens has increased dramatically.
Your Child and Diabetes - Risk Factors
Researchers blame the increasing incidence of childhood obesity for the rise in diabetes and other diet-related diseases in children. Diet and exercise both have been shown to play a major factor in the way the body produces and uses insulin -- a chemical the body uses to process sugar and transform it into energy. These are the major risk factors for Type 2 diabetes.
Lifestyle Diabetes Risk Factors
- Obesity is one of the major risk factors associated with diabetes. If your child is overweight, he carries a greatly increased risk of developing diabetes.
A Little About Diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes that affect the general population. Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes and insulin dependent diabetes, which occurs when the body can not produce sufficient insulin for its needs. Insuline dependent diabetes is also known as Type 2 diabetes. While there is a great deal of promising research being done in the field of diabetes, there is currently no cure for either type. It is possible, however, to slow the progress or prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes.
People with Type 2 diabetes may produce insulin, but their bodies don't use it properly for one or more reasons. It has always been known as "adult onset diabetes", and used to be called "sugar diabetes", or more colloquially, "the sugar". Until recently, Type 2 diabetes was considered to be a disease that affects those of middle age and older, but in recent years, the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in children and teens has increased dramatically.
Your Child and Diabetes - Risk Factors
Researchers blame the increasing incidence of childhood obesity for the rise in diabetes and other diet-related diseases in children. Diet and exercise both have been shown to play a major factor in the way the body produces and uses insulin -- a chemical the body uses to process sugar and transform it into energy. These are the major risk factors for Type 2 diabetes.
Lifestyle Diabetes Risk Factors
- Obesity is one of the major risk factors associated with diabetes. If your child is overweight, he carries a greatly increased risk of developing diabetes.
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