Childhood Diabetes

By Naureen Ahmed/Converged Citizen Staff

Type 2 diabetes among kids has increased over the past 20 years, according to the Canadian Diabetes Association.

 

The driving factors behind the increase are obesity epidemic, physical inactivity and smoking. Other factors may include individual characteristics such as age, ethnicity, and family history of the disease.

 

“Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which pancreas either does not produce or does not properly use the insulin it makes,” said Joyce Montrose, a coordinator of the Windsor & District Canadian Diabetes Association. “As a result, glucose (sugar) builds up in blood instead of being used for energy.”

 

Type 2 diabetes,  which was once an adult-only condition, is now being detected in teens and children, said Montrose. The youngest child who has been diagnosed with this disease in Windsor, is an eight year old girl.

 

Riffat Rahman, a Pediatrician at Windsor Regional Hospital, explains childhood obesity rates in Windsor-Essex are between 10 and 15 per cent, which is higher than the rest of Ontario. Windsorites fare worse than other parts of the province in terms of unhealthy eating habits, obesity and physical inactivities, thus leading to type 2 diabetes among kids.

 

“Children of all ages should maintain a healthy balance of energy in and energy burned off as children who become obese before six years of age are likely to stay obese throughout childhood,” said Rahman. “Set an example for your children by eating healthy and being physically active.”

It is important to promote healthy eating and physical activity to prevent further weight gain or to encourage weight loss while making sure they grow and develop properly, she said.

 

Montrose  stresses Windsorites should read labels and learn how much food children  should be eating in a day. General meal planning is important to help manage blood glucose levels.

“Remember, having diabetes does not mean to skip carbohydrates completely,” she said. “means to manage the type and amount of carbohydrates you eat.”

 

Montrose also suggested consult a registered dietician through ‘EatRight Ontario’, as they  can help people improve their  health and quality of life through healthy eating. They  provide easy-to-use nutritional information to help  make healthier food choices.
“Active children become active adults. By encouraging children to be physically active, you are helping to establish healthy, lifelong habits,” said Montrose.