Childhood Diabetes: The Rise of a New Epidemic in America

childhood-diabetes-the-rise-of-a-new-epidemic-in-america.jpgDiabetes is a detrimental health issue. From the eyes to the tips of the toes, diabetes can affect just about every part of the body. Diabetes does not discriminate against anyone, and children have become its latest victims. The number of young people in the U.S. inflicted with prediabetes and diabetes has grown significantly over the last few years. This number is rising so quickly that health officials have begun calling it an epidemic.

Prediabetes In the American Youth 

Prediabetes is defined as “a condition in which blood sugar levels are abnormally high, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.” With little to no symptoms, people usually don’t even know they have prediabetes until it becomes diabetes and begins wreaking havoc on their health. Though this is not technically a diagnosis, this identification should not be taken lightly. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 70% of people with prediabetes will progress to diabetes.
“People with prediabetes do transition to diabetes. So, we’ve got 20-25% of our population of young people at risk for diabetes. It will become an epidemic if it’s not dealt with in a short period of time.”
– David Masihdas, O.D., co-chair of the AOA’s Evidence-Based Optometry (EBO) Committee’s Diabetes Guideline Development Group 
The number of adolescents and young adults (ages 12-34) in the United States with prediabetes has grown from 9% in 1999 to 23% in 2008 and is continuously rising. The newest numbers show that 1 in 5 adolescents (12-18) and 1 in 4 young adults (19-34) have prediabetes. The increase is largely to blame on poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle that many youths have become accustomed to. While this is at least disappointing news to hear at a healthcare (primary care physician, eye doctor, etc.) appointment, it should be noted that there is still time to change the outcome. However, Dr. Masihdas says, “The choice of doing nothing could be catastrophic. If you don’t address it now, the problem will only get worse.”

Diabetes

childhood-diabetes-the-rise-of-a-new-epidemic-in-america-1.jpgchildhood-diabetes-the-rise-of-a-new-epidemic-in-america-1.jpgThe number of people in the U.S. with prediabetes is astounding, but those with full-blown diabetes is another startling statistic. Right now, 10% of the American population has diabetes. The main difference between prediabetes and diabetes is that diabetes is a true disease diagnosis that will stay with an individual for the rest of his/her life. The longer one has diabetes, the more likely they are to experience related complications. And for those diagnosed with diabetes in their younger years, the risk for these complications goes up dramatically. Ann Albright, Ph.D., Director of the CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation remarked, “We’re already seeing increased rates of type 2 diabetes and diabetes-related complications in youth and young adults, and these new findings are evidence of a growing epidemic and a tremendously worrisome threat to the future of our nation’s health.”

Types of Childhood Diabetes

There are two main types of diabetes – type 1 and type2. In terms of childhood diabetes, type 1 is “a condition in which your child’s body no longer produces an important hormone (insulin)” and is an autoimmune disease typically linked to genetics, though no direct cause has been identified. Type 2 is “a chronic disease that affects the way your child’s body processes sugar (glucose)” and is typically linked with obesity, poor diet, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Childhood Diabetes Symptoms 

Type 1 diabetes symptoms usually develop quickly over a period of a few weeks. Typical warning signs for children include: 
  • Weight loss – often the first sign of type 1 diabetes noticed in children 
  • Increased thirst 
  • Frequent urination – a young, toilet-trained child might suddenly experience bed-wetting 
  • Extreme hunger 
  • Fatigue 
  • Irritability or behavior changes – may present as a sudden decline in performance at school 
  • Fruity-smelling breath 
  • Blurred vision – your child might be unable to focus or see clearly 
As mentioned, type 2 diabetes is largely linked to poor nutrition and limited exercise. As many as 40% of children with type 2 diabetes have little to no signs or symptoms. However, some common symptoms mimic those of type 1: 
  • Increased thirst 
  • Frequent urination 
  • Weight loss – less common in children with type 2 diabetes than type 1 
  • Fatigue 
  • Blurred vision 
  • Slow-healing sores or frequent infections – type 2 diabetes affects the child’s immune system and healing process 

Nutrition’s Impactchildhood-diabetes-the-rise-of-a-new-epidemic-in-america.png

Many experts blame the recent fast food and idleness trends for the recent surge in diabetes diagnosis in young people. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director, Robert Redfield, M.D., said, “The prevalence of prediabetes in adolescents and young adults reinforces the critical need for effective public health strategies that promote healthy eating habits, physical activity, and stress management. These lifestyle behaviors can begin early in a child’s life and should continue through adolescence and adulthood to reduce onset of type 2 diabetes.” Screen time is another major contributor to increased idleness. From streaming devices to gaming systems to apps on smartphones, kids have every attention-grabbing tool to keep them stationary. Introducing limitations to screen time can help encourage kids to spend more time being active, but that’s only one aspect of the diabetes solution. The bottom line: eating better and nutritional changes need to be implemented in order to make a real difference. Simply making conscious decisions to eat better can help many people move towards a better, healthier path. Learn how diabetes can affect eye health.

https://www.lvcenter4sight.com/childhood-diabetes-the-rise-of-a-new-epidemic-in-america/

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