subject: Can We Protect Our Children From Diabetes? [print this page] Can We Protect Our Children From Diabetes?
Copyright (c) 2010 Mountain West FootAs the father of 10 children and a specialist in foot and ankle care (where I see diabetes and its complications on a regular basis), I am constantly looking for little things we can do to protect our children from diabetes. If you could limit your child's diabetic risk, would you do it? I have compiled 4 suggestions that I am using to help my children.1. Get Them Moving. One of the biggest reasons for the increased diabetes presentation in children is the increased obesity in the same group. In fact, as our children move less, their waist size increases. For this reason they present with an increased risk of diabetes and often diabetes type 2 itself. Technology definitely adds to this risk, as they play more computer games, walk less and even talk less.I have supported my children in staying very active through walks, hikes and sports. Soccer is one of my favorite, but I have had children swim, ride bikes, run, play soccer, play basketball, play baseball, play lacrosse and play football. Each of these has their own advantages, but the key is to find something they like to do and get involved with them.2. Limit Fast Food. Our highly processed foods, whether fast food from a microwave or a restraunt (ie Wendy's, McDonalds, etc.) has increased the risk of obesity also and can lead to diabetes over time. Fast food has not been eliminated from our family, but is less common than it could be. Besides, quality foods give more energy and increased health in other ways also.3. Limit Sugary Drinks (including sugar-sweetened soft drinks, fruit drinks, iced tea, and energy and vitamin water drinks, but not including 100% fruit juices). In a recent study done by Harvard, it was determined that sugary drinks increase the risk of diabetes 26% if drunk 2 times per day, and metabolic syndrome (presenting with high blood pressure, elevated fasting blood sugar, high triglycerides, low HDL, and large waist size - a precursor to developing diabetes) 20%. Therefore, by limiting these drinks to once a month or less, the risk was significantly reduced.4. Teach Them To Like Quality Snacks. I do not limit sweets from my children completely, but limit how often these are considered part of their normal diet and snacks. Teaching them to like a good apple, orange, banana, carrot, celery, or other natural food can lead to better snacks and decreased risk of diabetes.I feel these are some great starts to help teach my children how to decrease their risk of diabetes, because we do have a family history that says we are higher risk of developing this problem.
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