One of the consequences of the obesity epidemic that is taking place among children is the rise of diabetes mellitus type 2, a disease that was previously considered to be an adult disease. However, obesity is also associated with glucose intolerance, as this disorder is regarded as an intermediate stage to diabetes.
Understanding Glucose Intolerance
The beta cells within the pancreas release the insulin hormone to prevent the glucose levels from becoming too high in the bloodstream. Glucose intolerance describes the disorder in which people have a problem with insulin and as a result, the kidneys and liver still make glucose, while the fat tissue and muscles do not get the glucose out of the bloodstream. Glucose intolerance usually progresses to diabetes mellitus type 2.
Glucose Intolerance and Diabetes
Because glucose intolerance is an intermediate stage to diabetes, lifestyle changes can prevent or at least delay it development. The obesity epidemic among American children has led to a rise in diabetes mellitus type 2 diabetes and as such, detecting glucose intolerance in children is essential in the prevention of the disease. A study published in the March 2004 issue of "The New England Journal of Medicine" concludes that impaired glucose tolerance is highly prevalent among children and adolescents with severe obesity.
Glucose Intolerance and Premature Death
Similar to adults, glucose intolerance in children not only leads to diabetes mellitus type 2, but it can also lead to an early death, according to a March 2010 article in "Endocrine Today." This article describes a study involving 4,875 children who had an average age of 11.3 years. Checking on them approximately 24 years later, 559 had died prematurely from a variety of diseases. The researchers calculated that the children with a glucose intolerance had a 73 percent higher risk of premature death as compared to those who were not glucose intolerant.
Treatment
In a January 2009 statement issued by the American Heart Association in the journal "Circulation," various treatment options are recommended. For children at least 4 years old who are in the 85 to 95 percentile of their body mass index (BMI), it is recommended that they stay at the same weight as they grow taller. BMI stands for body mass index, a calculation that compares the weight to the height. Children over the 95 percentile may need to stay at the same weight while they grow or gradually lose weight. All should have physical activity lasting at least one hour every day.
References
- "Circulation": Progress and Challenges in Metabolic Syndrome in Children and Adolescents
- "Endocrine Today": Premature death linked to childhood obesity, glucose intolerance, hypertension
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Anthony Fauci, M.D., Dennis Kasper, M.D., Dan Longo, M.D. et al.; 2008
- "New England Journal of Medicine": Prevalence of Impaired Glucose Tolerance among Children and Adolescents with Marked Obesity
