Diabetes that occurs in children can be either type 1, or juvenile diabetes, or type 2. Type 1 diabetes is a type of autoimmune disease that attacks the insulin-producing cells inside the pancreas. Type 2 generally develops from a strong family history or poor lifestyle habits. With type 1, the pancreas has ceased making insulin. This can also be the same with type 2, but generally some insulin is still being produced. According the Mayo Clinic, unlike type 2, type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented; it is usually caused by exposure to a virus or being predisposed to it through genetic factors. If left untreated, diabetes can cause damage to all the vital organs in the body and eventually death. In order to avoid diabetes or the complications associated with it, recognizing the risk factors is the first step in keeping children healthy.
Weight Changes
One major risk factor for children who develop type 2 diabetes is obesity. This means their BMI, or body mass index, is over 27. An additional factor could be the child weighing more than the 85th percentile of the normal weight level for their age group and sex. Children who are 20 pounds or more overweight are at an increased risk for developing diabetes. Carrying around the extra weight puts the child at a greater risk for developing type 2 than children who are at their appropriate weight level. Noticing a sudden weight loss in a child could be an indication of juvenile diabetes.
High Fasting Glucose
According to the Mayo Clinic, the fasting glucose test is an important test that children should take by the age of 10 or 12 if they have a risk factor for diabetes. The fasting glucose test or blood glucose tolerance test, will determine what the child's fasting blood sugar level is. They will likely not be able to eat or drink anything for 12 hours prior to the test. The blood test will measure their glucose level with no food or drink. Then they will retest after the patient has had a sugary drink. The levels will be compared. An ideal level should be between 70 to 100 ml. A high fasting glucose or anything above these numbers may be considered pre-diabetes or diabetic.
Family History
For children newly diagnosed with diabetes it is important to consider family history. A family history of diabetes could be a serious risk factor for a child, especially for type 2 diabetes. According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, many times diabetes will skip a generation. If a grandparent has had diabetes, the chance is increased that the grandchildren could also develop the disease.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Anyone who leads a sedentary or inactive lifestyle is creating a risk factor for developing diabetes. Children who do not lead active lifestyles are putting themselves at risk. The reason for this is the body's metabolism slows down without exercise, and the vital organs of the body such as the heart and lungs are not getting the workout needed to keep the body healthy. Over time, this can lead to high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels and in the long term, possibly insulin resistance. Insulin resistance may lead to diabetes. Insulin resistance is where the body makes insulin but does not distribute it correctly to the bloodstream and major organs. Over time, this may lead to the pancreas not producing enough insulin. The glucose begins to be absorbed into the bloodstream rather than used as energy. This makes the pancreas work harder to produce insulin and it eventually may cease making any at all.
Poor Eating Habits
Children with poor eating habits may be setting themselves up to developing diabetes as time goes on. Junk food, sweets combined with a sedentary lifestyle can also lead to insulin resistance and the development of diabetes. Adding healthy foods such as whole grains, certain fruits and vegetables into the diet will help keep a diabetic child healthy.
