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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

Healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent type 2 diabetes in children and its complications. Encourage your child to:

  • Eat healthy foods. Offer your child foods low in fat and calories. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Strive for variety to prevent boredom.
  • Get more physical activity. Encourage your child to get active. Sign up for a sports team or dance lessons, or look for active things to do together.
  • Lose excess pounds. Help your child make permanent changes in his or her eating and exercise habits.

Better yet, make it a family affair. The same lifestyle choices that can help prevent type 2 diabetes in children can do the same for adults.

References
  1. Laffel L, et al. Epidemiology, presentation, and diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  2. Am I at risk for type 2 diabetes? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/DM/pubs/riskfortype2/. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  3. Standards of medical care in diabetes — 2008. Alexandria, Va.: American Diabetes Association. http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/vol31/Supplement_1/. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  4. McCulloch DK, et al. Pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  5. Laffel L, et al. Comorbidities and complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  6. McCulloch DK, et al. Glycemic control and vascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  7. Kidney disease (nephropathy). American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/kidney-disease.jsp. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  8. Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your eyes healthy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_eyes/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  9. Why taking care of your diabetes is important. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. http://www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/care.htm. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  10. Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your feet and skin healthy. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_feet/. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  11. Estimated Average Glucose, eAG. American Diabetes Association. http://professional.diabetes.org/GlucoseCalculator.aspx. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  12. Laffel L, et al. Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  13. The basics of insulin. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/utils/printthispage.jsp?PageID=TYPE1DIABETES3_263601. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  14. Hypoglycemia. American Diabetes Association. http://tracker.diabetes.org/hypoglycemia.php. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  15. Hyperglycemia. American Diabetes Association. http://tracker.diabetes.org/hyperglycemia.php. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  16. Ketoacidosis. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/ketoacidosis.jsp. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  17. International Expert Committee. International Expert Committee report on the role of the A1C assay in the diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2009;32:1.

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June 13, 2009

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