| Type 2 diabetes, traditionally a problem for people later | | | | especially under the arms and on the back of the |
| in life, has been appearing rapidly in children. The | | | | neck, called acanthosis nigricans. The place to check is |
| appearance of type 2 diabetes in children goes | | | | in the folds. |
| hand-in-hand with the increase in childhood obesity. | | | | Bear in mind that these warning signs do not develop |
| Unfortunately poor nutritional habits combined with an | | | | suddenly, the condition itself progresses slowly. The |
| exercise-free lifestyle has led to the doubling of | | | | changes creep up on you so gradually that you get |
| obesity amongst children ages 6 to 11 during the past | | | | used to them almost before you notice any change. |
| twenty years. | | | | What to do if you think there might be a problem: The |
| Your child or grandchild may already be quite seriously | | | | important thing is do something about it right away... |
| affected before you realise what is going on. For this | | | | even if your child does not have type 2 diabetes, it is |
| reason alone parents and carers need to watch | | | | best to have these signs checked out. When you see |
| carefully for any developing signs that could alert them | | | | your health care provider, insist on a simple blood test |
| to the possibility of type 2 diabetes | | | | that will determine whether or not your child has high |
| Like adults, children with type 2 diabetes can develop | | | | blood sugar levels. |
| symptoms slowly over a long period. These might | | | | If this is not the problem, find out what else is causing |
| include: | | | | the signs you noticed. If it is type 2 diabetes it can be |
| - frequent trips to the bathroom | | | | controlled and often can be reversed. A healthy diet |
| - increased thirst... high blood sugar levels robs moisture | | | | for children with type 2 diabetes consists of: |
| from body tissues, making your child drink more water | | | | - five to nine servings of vegetables and fruits each |
| - tiredness during waking hours... remember that blood | | | | day |
| sugar is not able to enter the cells so therefore the | | | | - several servings of whole grains |
| cells are receiving no energy or fuel | | | | - some low fat dairy products |
| - increased hunger | | | | - small portions of lean protein |
| - occasional blurry vision... vision blurs because the | | | | - and a little fat |
| lenses in your child's eyes need to adjust to the | | | | Often the parents of obese children are also |
| changes in his blood sugar levels | | | | overweight so this is a nutritious eating plan for the |
| - sores that heal very slowly and frequent infections... | | | | whole family to follow. |
| type 2 diabetes causes chemical imbalances that can | | | | The important thing is to keep a handle on it so that |
| impair the ability of your child's body to repair itself | | | | your child can enjoy a long and happy life. If you |
| - discolored skin... a velvety darkening of the skin, | | | | achieve that, you have done your job well. |