Diabetes and Young People
When children or adolescents are diagnosed with diabetes, we used to assume it was Type 1 diabetes. However, in the last 20 years, more and more young people have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (which used to be known as adult-onset diabetes).Click here to learn more about the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases among children in the
Click here to learn more about living a healthy life with diabetes
Type 2 diabetes in young people
Type 2 diabetes in children is a relatively new health problem and is growing at an alarming rate, especially in the age group of 12 -16 years. Your child may be at risk for diabetes if you have a family history of diabetes and if your child is obese and physically inactive.
Children or teens with Type 2 diabetes can do several things to manage their disease and live a healthy life:
- Eat a healthy diet in order to achieve a healthy body weight and still get all the nutrition needed to grow. A doctor can help develop a healthy eating plan for a child with diabetes.
- Be physically active—every day. Exercise helps the body respond to insulin and burns calories—both of which are important to managing diabetes.
- Monitor blood sugar levels regularly.
- Take insulin or other medications which help the body respond to insulin more effectively. Talk to your child’s doctor to determine the best tools available.
- Work closely with a health care team (doctor, nurse, dietician, etc.) to manage the diabetes and prevent complications.
