Type 2 diabetes is becoming an increasing health issue among children globally. It is essential to be aware of its signs and symptoms, along with preventive measures to protect your child.
While type 1 diabetes remains more prevalent in children, type 2 diabetes now constitutes about 10 percent of childhood diabetes cases. The concerning global rise in type 2 diabetes, especially among children, can be mitigated or controlled through proper nutrition and regular physical activity.
What leads to type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body either loses its insulin sensitivity or stops producing sufficient insulin. It represents 90 percent of diabetes in adults and was previously termed “adult-onset diabetes” due to the belief that it only affected adults. Unfortunately, it is increasingly being observed in the pediatric population.
Signs and symptoms
The classic symptoms of diabetes include:
– Polydipsia (excessive thirst)
– Polyphagia (excessive hunger)
– Polyuria (frequent urination)
These symptoms should alert health practitioners to possibly screen for diabetes. Additional symptoms over time may comprise blurred vision, slow healing, recurrent infections, tingling sensations in the extremities, and fatigue.
Typically, severe symptoms are more common in type 1 diabetes, whereas individuals with type 2 diabetes may exhibit few symptoms until the condition has progressed. Nonetheless, it is crucial for parents to be vigilant about these symptoms in children and seek medical advice promptly.
Risk factors in children
Obesity
Ninety-five percent of children with type 2 diabetes are classified as overweight or obese. A 2010 Canadian government report highlighted alarming obesity statistics among Canadian children, declaring it a “national crisis.”
From 1978 to 2004, the percentage of Canadian children aged 2 to 17 labeled as overweight or obese rose from 15 percent to 26 percent, meaning more than one in four children. Among 12 to 17-year-olds, the percentage doubled from 14 percent to 29 percent during the same timeframe.
For Aboriginal Canadian youth living off-reserve, the rates of overweight and obesity reached 41 percent. Given such statistics, it is expected that the number of children globally with type 2 diabetes will increase by at least 50 percent over the next 15 years.
Ethnicity
Certain ethnic groups are at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes, including Aboriginal Canadians and individuals of South Asian, Hispanic, or African descent.
Inactivity
Insufficient physical activity contributes to obesity and diminishes the body’s insulin sensitivity.
Family history
Over 90 percent of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have a first or second-degree relative with the condition. (First-degree relatives include parents and siblings, while second-degree relatives consist of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and half-siblings.)
Certain medications
Some psychiatric medications, especially antipsychotics, may elevate a child’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Testing for diabetes
For children at heightened risk of type 2 diabetes, the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Canadian Paediatric Association provide the following guidelines for screening and testing.
When should testing start?
Screening should begin at age 10 or younger if signs of puberty are present.
How frequently should children be tested?
Testing should occur every two years if two or more of the following risk factors are present:
– Obesity
– Belonging to an ethnic group known to face increased risk
– Family history of diabetes
– Signs or symptoms of insulin resistance, such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, or fatty liver disease
– Impaired glucose tolerance (as identified by blood tests)
– Use of antipsychotic medications or atypical neuroleptics
Children identified as very obese should undergo an oral glucose tolerance test annually.
How is testing conducted?
Diabetes testing for children is performed in the same manner as for adults, utilizing either fasting or random blood sugar tests. A diagnosis of diabetes is established when the fasting blood sugar level exceeds 7.0 mmol/L or when the random blood sugar level exceeds 11.1 mmol/L.
Health risks for children
Children with type 2 diabetes face similar health risks as adults, but they can develop complications more swiftly. Therefore, a child diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be monitored annually for complications, including:
– Blood sugar levels
– High cholesterol levels
– High blood pressure
– Retinopathy (damage to the eye’s retina)
– Neuropathy (nerve damage, with symptoms like pain, numbness, or tingling, especially in the fingers or toes)
– Liver disease
– Kidney disease
Type 2 diabetes is increasing among children, but by understanding the risk factors and learning ways to mitigate them, we can begin to reverse this worrying trend.
Did you know?
– 45 percent of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes also have high cholesterol.
– 28 percent of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes also experience high blood pressure.
– Diabetic children should have their blood pressure checked at every healthcare visit.
6 Strategies to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes in Children
The most crucial factor in preventing type 2 diabetes at any age is avoiding obesity. Therefore, many recommendations for preventing this disease in children focus on fostering dietary and lifestyle habits that help lower the risk of obesity.
1. Limit screen time
Encourage children to reduce their TV and computer usage. Excessive screen time lowers physical activity and increases exposure to advertisements for unhealthy, high-fat, and sugary foods, contributing significantly to obesity.
2. Prioritize fun physical activity
Canadian guidelines suggest that children aged 5 to 17 should engage in at least one hour of moderate to vigorous exercise daily. Activities like cycling, dancing, hiking, and walking can be enjoyable for the whole family.
3. Get involved in team sports
Participating in team sports provides children with opportunities for physical activity while allowing them to form friendships and develop long-term fitness habits.
4. Embrace the outdoors
Spending time outside not only increases physical activity levels but also enhances the opportunity to obtain sufficient vitamin D. This vitamin is essential for the proper functioning of numerous body cells, and our primary source of vitamin D is sunlight, which may be especially important for obese children or those at risk of type 2 diabetes.
In a study of 106 obese children and adolescents, 62 percent were found to have deficient vitamin D levels. Those with vitamin D deficiency displayed greater insulin resistance, a critical step toward developing type 2 diabetes.
5. Promote nutritious eating habits
Get the entire family involved. Consuming fresh, healthy whole foods benefits everyone. Children raised in homes that prioritize healthy eating are more likely to make healthier food choices outside their homes.
6. Encourage breastfeeding
Breastfeeding offers children a significant advantage. Research suggests that exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months of life can help prevent overfeeding and lower the risk of early childhood obesity.
