Type 2 Diabetes – Preventing Diabetes In Teens and Young Children!

Although Type 2 diabetes used to generally occur in adults, it is becoming more and more prevalent in teenagers and children. Since it afflicts those who are overweight, it goes hand in hand with the growing population of children who are now, or are becoming, obese.One of the main keys to preventing teenagers and children from developing the disease is to understand how vulnerable they are. There are certain ethnic groups who are much more prone to developing Type 2 diabetes than others. These groups include people who are of African-American, Hispanic, American-Indian, and Asian backgrounds. Other groups of children are not immune so the risk can be high for them simply based on their weight, family history, eating habits and level of activity.Genetics might increase the possibility of acquiring Type 2 diabetes, but it is not a guarantee – it doesn’t mean you will end up with diabetes. With proper maintenance and prevention it is possible to fend off the advances of the disease, or to eliminate it completely.Although young children can develop Type 2 diabetes, it is most commonly diagnosed in teens around the age of 13 or 15. Recent studies reveal Type 2 diabetes makes up about 16 to 30 percent of all new cases of diabetes in children between the ages of 10 and 19.One of the easiest and simplest prevention methods is weight control. Since most children and adults diagnosed with Type 2 diabetics are overweight, this is a simple concept that not only helps in this area, but in their overall health as well. Plus, there are a multitude of other health benefits that can be derived from maintaining a healthy weight.Food choices are also critical for diabetes prevention. Eating the right amounts of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis is important; as well as plenty of fiber-rich foods. This serves a double purpose: it keeps the digestive system working properly and it helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.Together, these two steps allow the cardiovascular and digestive systems to work at their most efficient.Staying away from junk food is also important. This group of food is high in fat, cholesterol, salt and sugar – all the things that a diabetic has to be leery of. Ingesting them means almost assuredly altering your blood sugar levels needlessly. The same goes for foods that are not considered junk food, but have one or more of the above characteristics. If it is absolutely necessary to eat junk food, the best idea is to do it in moderation and never use it in the place of a meal.Exercise is a must for losing weight and keeping it off. Exercise or physical activity not only builds strength, but a lean body burns sugar more efficiently and helps to stave off other complications from the disease.Both young children, teens, and adults are far less active today than our ancestors, who had more exercise and less food! It’s no wonder people are gaining weight, and that, as we have already seen, makes us more at risk for Type 2 diabetes and other diseases.