Background information on type 2 diabetes and obesity in children 
Childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes in children have reached epidemic proportions in the United States and continues to grow. Obesity is defined as an excessively high amount of body fat (Cline, Spradlin & Plucker, 2005). Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body fails to properly use insulin, a hormone, used to convert sugar to energy (All about Diabetes p1). These increases affect all ages, ethnic groups, and gender. According to the New York State Department of Health (2004), the Diabetes Center of Excellence reported that between 10%-20% of newly diagnosed school age children have type 2 diabetes. Obesity is one of the principal risk factors of type2 diabetes. Overweight children have doubled from 15% in the 1970s to nearly 30 % in 2006 while obesity has tripled from 5 to 15 % in the United States. Twenty percent of elementary school students New York City are considered obese (Thorpe, 2004).
Type 2 diabetes was once previously known as adult onset diabetes a condition confined to adults age 40 and older. However, as a result of the number of children being diagnosed with this form of diabetes, the name was changed to type 2 diabetes. Nestle, 2005 stated that if the current rate of obesity continues, diabetes would eventually develop in one in three children who were born in 2000 (Nestle, 2005). Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death nationally but the fourth leading cause of death in New York City largely because of its high rate of obesity among Hispanics and African American residents who are poor and working does not have the time to provide nutritional meals for their children or do not live in communities where they have access to safe play grounds for physical activity (Nestle, 2005).
The Causes and Risk Factors
Obesity and type 2 diabetes substantially decrease life expectancy, as type 2 diabetes progresses other complications such as end stage renal diseases, high blood pressure and peripheral neuropathy develops which eventually leads to death. There is also an increase health care cost to government for those children who are uninsured. Children who are obese often develop asthma, obstructive sleep apnea and psychological problems such as low self- esteem. Sedentary routine in schools exist as a result of reduced tax revenues for schools. The reduction of money has forced many schools to reduce or eliminate time for physical education classes. In addition, more families consist of working parents, which prevent the parent from supervising their children’s meals and active play. Further there has been a decrease in physical activity at home, as more children watch television or play games on the computer rather than playing soccer, basketball or jump rope. Parents have little or no time to prepare nutritious foods therefore; there has been a greater consumption of non-nutritional foods prepared outside of the home (Nestle, 2005).
Interactive questions
Ø What can parents do prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes in children?
Ø What can the government do in our school system to prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes in children?
Type 2 diabetes was once previously known as adult onset diabetes a condition confined to adults age 40 and older. However, as a result of the number of children being diagnosed with this form of diabetes, the name was changed to type 2 diabetes. Nestle, 2005 stated that if the current rate of obesity continues, diabetes would eventually develop in one in three children who were born in 2000 (Nestle, 2005). Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death nationally but the fourth leading cause of death in New York City largely because of its high rate of obesity among Hispanics and African American residents who are poor and working does not have the time to provide nutritional meals for their children or do not live in communities where they have access to safe play grounds for physical activity (Nestle, 2005).
The Causes and Risk Factors
Obesity and type 2 diabetes substantially decrease life expectancy, as type 2 diabetes progresses other complications such as end stage renal diseases, high blood pressure and peripheral neuropathy develops which eventually leads to death. There is also an increase health care cost to government for those children who are uninsured. Children who are obese often develop asthma, obstructive sleep apnea and psychological problems such as low self- esteem. Sedentary routine in schools exist as a result of reduced tax revenues for schools. The reduction of money has forced many schools to reduce or eliminate time for physical education classes. In addition, more families consist of working parents, which prevent the parent from supervising their children’s meals and active play. Further there has been a decrease in physical activity at home, as more children watch television or play games on the computer rather than playing soccer, basketball or jump rope. Parents have little or no time to prepare nutritious foods therefore; there has been a greater consumption of non-nutritional foods prepared outside of the home (Nestle, 2005).
Interactive questions
Ø What can parents do prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes in children?
Ø What can the government do in our school system to prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes in children?
1 comment:
Great information -
Parents can be good role models to prevent obesity and DM in children
Helene
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