Diabetes is a group of four conditions in which the body doesn't properly regulate the hormone insulin, leading to dangerously high levels of blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes, in particular, is one of the most serious, but preventable, of these conditions in children. Poor nutrition, excess weight and low levels of physical activity are important risk factors. Eating food that is low fat and low calorie, increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables they eat and being more physically active lower children's risk of diabetes.
Diabetes in Children Statistics
According to the National Diabetes Education Program, NDEP, diabetes is one of the most common diseases in school-aged children. About 186,300 children and youth had diabetes in 2007. Approximately 3,700 of 15,000 new diagnoses each year are for type 2 diabetes. After age 10, type 2 diabetes becomes increasingly common, especially among Hispanics, African Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indian youth.
Nutrition from the Womb
The insulin resistance seen in type 2 diabetes is literally programmed by mothers' poor nutrition while children are still in the womb. Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio found that poor maternal health during pregnancy and breastfeeding predisposes children to diabetes. Scientists at the Joslin Diabetes Center say that moms' poor nutrition impairs the ability of children's pancreases to later produce enough insulin in response to blood sugar. NDEP warns pregnant mothers that gestational diabetes puts them and their children at a higher lifelong risk of type 2 diabetes.
Poor Diet
A lifestyle marked by poor nutrition and sedentary activity levels partially explains the rate of type 2 diabetes in children. With their parents lacking good nutritional information, meals prepared at home are often high in fat. Busy working families tend to eat out more and consume more fast-food, which passes on excessive calories to children. Also, school lunches often have high fat and added sugars. Moreover, children are bombarded with media messages promoting poor nutrition. A study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, called the HEALTHY Study, is tracking diabetes risk factors by making changes in school food services and increasing the intensity of physical education. To date, the clinical trial has shown promise in reducing obesity, body mass index scores, waist circumference and fasting insulin levels.
Diet Needs of Children with Diabetes
In addition to being able to take their medications and monitor their blood sugar, children with type 2 diabetes need dietary accommodations while they are at school. Parents of children who eat school lunches must play a proactive part in getting the menus in advance and tailoring their children's lunches to their dietary needs. Public health authorities also encourage supervision by school staff to monitor food exchange among children with diabetes. In addition, the timing of meals at school can pose challenges for students with diabetes, as do the presence of high-calorie snacks and sugary drinks in vending machines.
Improving Nutrition
Children with diabetes should participate in personal diabetes management care plans with a health care provider, diabetes educator and dietitian. The plan should help the child follow a healthy meal plan and get enough physical activity. The eating plan must be designed to balance energy needs and keep blood sugar in the targeted range throughout the day. In most cases, this will involve a major change from the way your child is used to eating. Your children should also be taught how foods, especially carbs such as bread, pasta and rice, affect their blood sugar. In addition, they need to understand how to eat the right portions of food at each meal.
References
- Diabetes Care: Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes in a Sixth Grade Multiracial Cohort
- Diabetes Spectrum: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Teens
- Endocrine Today: HEALTHY: School-based Intervention Reduced Risk Factors for Diabetes in Children
- New England Journal of Medicine: Are Children the Future of Type 2 Diabetes Prevention?
- Science Daily: Type 2 Diabetes May Begin With Grandma's Diet
- Daily News Central: Poor Nutrition in the Womb Can Lead to Diabetes Later in Life
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