Most Type 2 Diabetes Can Be Stopped at Childhood

That's the name of a USAToday article, published June 22, 2009. Pretty intriguing that we as a nation could actually stop Type 2 diabetes, and yet we don't.

Of course, as the article points out, it's awfully hard for an eight-year-old to turn away from that donut when their friends are having one. Or two.

"About 150,000 children in the USA have been diagnosed with diabetes, most with Type 1, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the number of children with Type 2 diabetes has been rising steadily in the past decade.... according to the CDC.... Type 2 is especially affecting Hispanic, African American and American Indian youth."

The reasons why this rate has been rising are rather interesting. "'We have a new generation of children who are metabolically different. We think there's been a series of genetic mutations - linked to environmental and lifestyle changes - over the last few generations that have led to this,' says (Melinda) Sothern (professor of public health at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans). Why a child's body stops using insulin properly - called insulin insensitivity - isn't clear, but Sothern says her government-funded study suggests a child's current body fat is the strongest predictor of poor insulin sensitivity.

"While the majority of chubby kids don't get diabetes, if a child has a family history, or a mother who had gestational diabetes was obese while pregnant or did not breast-feed, they can be at risk, Sothern says." Of course, add that to the high-sugar, high-fat diet most kids consume in the United States, and you can predict the outlook.

The article suggests several behavioral changes for young Type 2's. Actually, I think I as an adult could use a closer look at these suggestions.

- "Think before you eat. Break out of the rut of eating when you're bored or lonely.

- "Eat a little bit less at meals. Leave food on your plate. Order small portions, not large.

- "Limit fatty foods. Burgers and fries are high in fat; try pretzels instead of potato chips.

- "Cut sugar. Switch to sugar-free drinks.

- "Even with diabetes, you can still eat cake and ice cream, just not every day. Ask your doctor to help you plan for occasional treats.

- "Be active. Don't just listen to music - dance.

- "Play after school. Or try a sport; take lessons.

- "Turn off TV. Watch just one show a day."