In recent years the number of children with Diabetes Mellitus Type II (DM-Type II)has jumped from only 5% of all newly diagnosed cases to 20%. This jump is a result of the obesity epidemic, per the Centers for Disease Control. In addition it is hitting harder in low income families and the rates are higher for those of Hispanic and African-American descent. Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, used to be known as Adult-Onset Diabetes or Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus or NIDDM. These names don’t apply much because now children are developing this condition more and more. Many children and adults with Type II DM require insulin. the hallmark of DM-Type II, is that the individual has a high blood glucose (sugar) and insulin (a hormone created by the pancreas that normally assists glucose into the cells for use in day to day life, is deficient or it may not be deficient but rather resistant to doing its job. In addition, this disease can more often than not be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle–exercising and losing weight. Sometimes that is not enough, and medication (oral medication or injections) may be needed to develop normal blood glucose levels.
This article will give you a heads-up on what you, as a parent, should look for in your child. In my experience as a nurse I will often send children to their primary medical provider for their excessive weight and nothing seems to happen. To be fair, the cure for this problem is not easy and certainly can not be fixed by one doctor’s visit. The old saying "It takes a village to raise a child" has never been more true. Treatment involves parents, the child, nurses, schools, friends, everyone!
As a parent, here are the risk factors for DM-Type II, you should be looking for in your child:
- Find out if your child is obese since this is the big common factor in developing Diabetes Type II. Obesity is where your child has a Body Mass Index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for his or her age. You can go on line to calculate the BMI or check with your school nurse or your child’s doctor. There are so many mini calculators that it is quite easy. Unfortunately we have become numb to obesity. In fact, when people are shown an old photo of children with normal weights and BMIs most people will say the children are underweight. NOT! We have to adjust our vision to accurately assess our children’s weight.
- Strong family history of diabetes (Type II or I). The majority of children who develop Diabetes-Type II will have a parent with it. But you may also see aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, etc. It may be multi-generational. If mother had gestational diabetes this may also be considered a risk factor for your child (and for you, as well, when you are older).
- Your child is at a higher risk if he or she is of Hispanic, Asian, American Indian or African descent.
- 90% of obese children who are at risk for developing Type II Diabetes will have a darkening of the skin in certain areas. Usually this is located on the back of the neck, under the arms, in the thigh skin folds and maybe between the fingers and toes. This is called Acanthosis Nigricans. Sometimes parents will think their son or daughter’s neck is just dirty. Although that may be true, this discoloration does not wash off. This is a WARNING SIGN and you should talk to your child’s medical practitioner about it!
- Make a visit to your child’s doctor about the risk factors. Read and know your stuff, because your doctor should begin to screen your child for diabetes by at least age 10. (During puberty sometimes the Type II Diabetes will present itself). The doctor should order a fasting blood sugar test every two years starting at age 10 to find out if there is any insulin resistance developing. They may begin checking your child’s glucose levels when your child has a BMI of >85th percentile for age.
- Is your child inactive? Of course this adds to the risk for obesity and this adversely increases your child’s risk for developing DM-Type II. As a family, develop new ways to be active. Taking up a new sport, walking, hiking, etc. The more active, the better. Everyone in the family has to decrease the time they spend on electronic media (TV, Computer & Video Games).
- Lastly, but not least, does your child have a poor diet and eat a lot of junk food or frequently eat out? This can impact your child’s weight and you must try and change these behaviors.
Although you cannot change your ethnicity or your genetics, don’t despair. You and your family can all work together to be more active and eat a healthier diet. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. This is critical! Cut out excessive visits to fast food restaurants and eating chips, cookies, etc. You don’t have to cut out all treats, but for most days of the week you should avoid them, and even more so if you and your family are not active. If you have insurance, ask your doctor for a referral to a nutritionist or registered dietician for assistance. If you do not have insurance or a nutrition resource you can certainly look online for this help. Go to Mypyramid.gov for all of the "skinny" on what you and your family should be eating. Finally, don’t put your children on a diet! They are not little adults, and must have the proper intake of vitamins and minerals. They should be able to eat a healthy well balanced diet, cutting back only on foods they don’t need (soda, sports drinks, chips, etc).
