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Type 2 Diabetes in Children - Prevention
SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS
- Topic Overview
-
Health Tools
- Cause
- Symptoms
- What Happens
- What Increases Your Risk
- When To Call a Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment Overview
- Prevention
- Home Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Treatment
- Other Places To Get Help
- Related Information
- References
- Credits
Healthy meals, physical activity, and weight control can help prevent diabetes or can prevent or delay complications if your child has diabetes. A registered dietitian can help you build a healthy meal plan for your child. Your doctor, exercise specialist, or certified diabetes educator also can help your child find ways to become more physically active.
Weight loss is
appropriate if your child is overweight and he or she has reached adult height.
In some severe cases, weight loss before your child reaches his or her full
adult height may be needed. See the
Interactive Tool: What Is Your Child's BMI? 
Having a blood sugar level that is higher than normal but not yet at the level of diabetes (prediabetes) increases a child's risk for type 2 diabetes. One study found that 13% of adolescents who were very overweight had high blood sugar.6 If your child has prediabetes, eating a healthy diet and increasing physical exercise may make his or her blood sugar return to a normal range and possibly prevent type 2 diabetes. Your child will still need to see a doctor regularly to check for signs of the disease.
Studies have shown that lifestyle changes can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in adults.7 But experts are not sure whether lifestyle changes will have the same effect in children. Studies on preventing type 2 diabetes in children and teens are ongoing. Some clinical trials show that a program of physical activity and healthy eating can decrease insulin resistance and control blood glucose.8
Diabetes prevention may begin in infancy: some evidence shows that breast-feeding lowers a child's risk of developing diabetes.9
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: July 16, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | John Pope, MD - Pediatrics Stephen LaFranchi, MD - Pediatrics, Pediatric Endocrinology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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