Learn About the Increase in Type 2 Diabetes in Children

Linnet Steinman talks about the increase in cases of children with type 2 diabetes.

Why are we seeing more cases of Type 2 diabetes in children? Linnet Steinman: We are seeing more Type 2 children, I do run as an Nursing Director of diabetes camp on American Diabetes Associations sponsored camp here in North Carolina and we are seeing more Type 2 coming in through the camp. Why do I see this? Well, Type 2 is— it does have the strong genetic links so often times the parents may have Type 2 also. These children I’ve seen as young as 7 years old, weighing along the lines of the 125, 150 pounds. Children coming in with abnormally high blood sugars, these are children that may not have the ability to exercise, they’re too large, there location where they live there residence is not in the safe neighborhood they can’t go outside. So, as lot of key children if they are about the key children they may the safest place maybe for them to be sitting in front of the TV, playing there in Nintendo or watching a video. So an increase inactivity levels, the other thing is eating in a healthy manner, eating those fresh vegetables and those lean meats can be more expensive than having a 33 cents bucks of Mac and Cheese for dinner. Where as the macaroni and cheese is not going to be quite as healthy. You go to McDonalds and you look at the Asian chicken salad that is $4 or $5 whereas a Big Macs are you know two for $2. Which one is going to be more of a bargain for the parent who is struggling with finances, certainly the Big Mac with this two for $2, and supersizing is just so inexpensive for families. So we have lesser eating habits, poor eating habits, we have less activity and that’s strong genetic link that is leading us to at more Type 2 diabetes in children. Type 2 Nutrition Linnet Steinman: When I have a the 7 year old who has Type 2 diabetes which is very much a behavior change that I need to implement. I need to focus on the parent and it is very, very difficult when the parent is it might be in denial for themselves or if there blood sugar is so high that they are taking a nap in my office. They are unable to focus on what I’m saying, but those are the people I need for the parent to model healthy eating. And bring in the healthy foods and leave the chocolate chip cookies and the Fritos and the potato chips tat the grocery store.