 |
Diabetes Is On The
Increase Among Children
Thousands of children in North America are being diagnosed
with type 2 diabetes, a condition that used to be called adult-onset
diabetes, in part because it was so rare in children. There are
also many more such cases in children that go undetected. |
In a presentation at the annual meeting of the American
Diabetes Association (ADA), 2001, I believe, doctors noted that
not only is diabetes in children on the increase, but that often
type 2 diabetes is not being detected because physicians falsely
believe only adults can get it.
Epidemic Levels
According to the Alexandria, Va.-based ADA, diabetes
is reaching epidemic levels as a result of the greater prevalence
of obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Approximately 16 million
people in the United States have diabetes; 90 to 95 percent of
these have type 2 diabetes.
Untreated, What Can Happen
Please take note of this information. Untreated
diabetes can have dire consequences. Because children are not
routinely screened for type 2 diabetes, by the time they are
diagnosed they may have high blood pressure or severe hyperglycemia,
or elevated blood-sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic
disorder resulting from the body's inability to make sufficient
insulin, or properly utilize the insulin it makes. Left untreated,
diabetes can lead to blindness, leg amputations, kidney disease,
heart attack and stroke.
Lets Take a Different Route
Comments: First of all, this is appalling.
That children would be this far down the path in being Diabetic!
Where have they got to go but down hill – possibly for a
number of years if not caught! Let's take a different route with
our children.
Suggestions
I suggest for people, either young or old with
blood sugar problems: take a look at your water intake, carbohydrate
and sugar intake or your ratio of proteins to carbohydrates.
Then check your vegetable intake. Hmm… Sounds like good
advice for all of us, does'nt’t it?
Over all, most people are drinking less water than
they should, and children are no exception. Children seem to
gravitate to sodas and fruit juices now days. There is little
training about the importance of water, that it be first choice
in drinks. Everyone needs to drink an ounce of water per pound
of weight, which would be one quart for 50 lbs. of weight. Your
body needs this much water everyday.
Secondly the examination of carbohydrates and sugars
in the diet is essential. Americans in general eat a high carbohydrate
(starch) diet, and it is one of the major causes of obesity and
blood sugar disorders.
And more sugar is consumed than ever before in
history. The body simply was not made to handle any large load
of sugar! When large amounts of junk food are eaten rather than
proteins, grains, fruits and vegetables of a healthy diet, one
is setting themselves up for blood sugar problems later on. You
may want to read an additional article on the role of carbohydrates (starches) in the diet and
how our body reacts to the consumption of carbohydrates.
One time I sat outside of a chain grocery store
during the lunch hour of a Junior High School, which was just
down the block. It was unbelievable what these children were
eating for lunch. All junk food and sodas. And the amounts of
junk food!
Unless their diet was very balanced in nutrition
otherwise, I would say that they were unwittingly setting themselves
up for blood sugar problems later that day. If this happened
on a regular basis, blood sugar problems and mineral depletion,
perhaps for a life time! Read my article on Soda Consumption and Teenagers -Our Teenagers
are in Danger Nutritionally!
Don't forget those vegetables! Those really need
to be emphasized both for their mineral content and the fiber
of the vegetables. Bottom line, Diabetics are mineral deficient.
I also see a real trend of children eating few
vegetables because they prefer junk food. "Junk food",
white flour, sugar and sodas are all very acid forming foods
in our system. Illness and disease starts within an acid
system. This includes Diabetes.
A recent survey found that children were only eating
50% of the vegetables they needed. Most vegetables and fruits
are alkaline forming. When one is overly acid, the body pulls
minerals from the tissues and bones to buffer the acidity.
At 50% intake of vegetables as it is, minerals can only be pulled
from an already depleted body.
More vegetables also gives more bulk, and there
is less room for sweets and too many carbohydrates. Of course
this would apply to the adult Diabetic just as much.
Parent's Be Responsible!
Take a look at what your child is eating on a regular
basis. Is it cold cereal for breakfast, junk food or other low
quality food for lunch and maybe a good meal at dinner? Do something
about this. Please start teaching your child about this. He/She
has a whole lifetime ahead of them.
Two things need to happen in order to turn this
trend of Diabetes in children around:
1. Parents, you need to to turn your childs diet
around. As I have stated above, make vegetables, especially leafy
greens very predominant in their diet. Remove most of the carbohydrates,starches
and fruit juices. Remove the sodas from their diet.
2. Children need to learn
of the consequences of poor eating, so that they can
make better choices. Educate them
that for every choice they make with food, they will have a consequence.
That way, even when you are not around, your child can make good
food choices.
Natural Health Care For
Diabetes
There are many things to do to assist the body
in overcoming Diabetes. Some I have mentioned above. A couple
resources are also mentioned below.
Diabetes in children can be helped. It can
be prevented or turned around. Have your child follow a
good diet, emphasizing plenty of vegetables, drink the suggested
amount of water and avoiding most sweets and junk foods. Your
child deserves good health.
Resources:
Get
More Info on Insulate Plus for Balanced Blood Sugar Levels and
Diabetes
Get
More Information on Triple Complex Diabetonic Tissue Salts for
Diabetes
------------------
©2001, Revised 2005
Article written by Jeannie CrabtreeC.Ac., CC EFT.
Jeannie publishes Health
Tips Newsletter. She shares Health tips, nutrition suggestions
and research.
Return to Health Articles |
