Diabetes Is On The Increase Among Children

Thousands of children in North America are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a condition that used to be called adult-onset diabetes, in part because it was so rare in children. There are also many more such cases in children that go undetected.

In a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 2001, I believe, doctors noted that not only is diabetes in children on the increase, but that often type 2 diabetes is not being detected because physicians falsely believe only adults can get it.

Epidemic Levels

According to the Alexandria, Va.-based ADA, diabetes is reaching epidemic levels as a result of the greater prevalence of obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Approximately 16 million people in the United States have diabetes; 90 to 95 percent of these have type 2 diabetes.

Untreated, What Can Happen

Please take note of this information. Untreated diabetes can have dire consequences. Because children are not routinely screened for type 2 diabetes, by the time they are diagnosed they may have high blood pressure or severe hyperglycemia, or elevated blood-sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder resulting from the body's inability to make sufficient insulin, or properly utilize the insulin it makes. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to blindness, leg amputations, kidney disease, heart attack and stroke.

Lets Take a Different Route

Comments: First of all, this is appalling.  That children would be this far down the path in being Diabetic! Where have they got to go but down hill – possibly for a number of years if not caught! Let's take a different route with our children.

Suggestions

I suggest for people, either young or old with blood sugar problems: take a look at your water intake, carbohydrate and sugar intake or your ratio of proteins to carbohydrates. Then check your vegetable intake. Hmm… Sounds like good advice for all of us, doesn't it?

Over all, most people are drinking less water than they should, and children are no exception. Children seem to gravitate to sodas and fruit juices now days. There is little training about the importance of water, that it be first choice in drinks. Everyone needs to drink an ounce of water per pound of weight, which would be one quart for 50 lbs. of weight. Your body needs this much water everyday.

Secondly the examination of carbohydrates and sugars in the diet is essential. Americans in general eat a high carbohydrate (starch) diet, and it is one of the major causes of obesity and blood sugar disorders.

And more sugar is consumed than ever before in history. The body simply was not made to handle any large load of sugar! When large amounts of junk food are eaten rather than proteins, grains, fruits and vegetables of a healthy diet, one is setting themselves up for blood sugar problems later on. You may want to read an additional article on the role of carbohydrates (starches) in the diet and how our body reacts to the consumption of carbohydrates

One time I sat outside of a chain grocery store during the lunch hour of a Junior High School, which was just down the block. It was unbelievable what these children were eating for lunch. All junk food and sodas. And the amounts of junk food!

Unless their diet was very balanced in nutrition otherwise, I would say that they were unwittingly setting themselves up for blood sugar problems later that day. If this happened on a regular basis, blood sugar problems and mineral depletion, perhaps for a life time! Read my article on Soda Consumption and Teenagers -Our Teenagers are in Danger Nutritionally!

Don't forget those vegetables! Those really need to be emphasized both for their mineral content and the fiber of the vegetables. Bottom line, Diabetics are mineral deficient.

I also see a real trend of children eating few vegetables because they prefer junk food. "Junk food", white flour, sugar and sodas are all very acid forming foods in our system. Illness and disease starts within an acid system. This includes Diabetes.

A recent survey found that children were only eating 50% of the vegetables they needed. Most vegetables and fruits are alkaline forming. When one is overly acid, the body pulls minerals from the tissues and bones to buffer the acidity.  At 50% intake of vegetables as it is, minerals can only be pulled from an already depleted body.

More vegetables also gives more bulk, and there is less room for sweets and too many carbohydrates. Of course this would apply to the adult Diabetic just as much.

Parent's Be Responsible!

Take a look at what your child is eating on a regular basis. Is it cold cereal for breakfast, junk food or other low quality food for lunch and maybe a good meal at dinner? Do something about this. Please start teaching your child about this. He/She has a whole lifetime ahead of them.

Two things need to happen in order to turn this trend of Diabetes in children around:

1. Parents, you need to turn your child's diet around. As I have stated above, make vegetables, especially leafy greens very predominant in their diet. Remove most of the carbohydrates,starches and fruit juices. Remove the sodas from their diet.

2. Children need to learn of the consequences of poor eating, so that they can make better choices. Educate them that for every choice they make with food, they will have a health consequence. That way, even when you are not around, your child can make good food choices.

Natural Health Care For Diabetes

There are many things to do to assist the body in overcoming Diabetes. Some I have mentioned above. A couple resources are also mentioned below.

Diabetes in children can be helped. It can be prevented or turned around. Have your child  follow a good diet, emphasizing plenty of  vegetables, drink the suggested amount of water and avoiding most sweets and junk foods. Your child deserves good health.