Reducing the risk of diabetes
before the age of thirty-five. These alarming figures, combined with the increase in ethnic minorities in Wisconsin, will result in enormous personal, societal,
and economic costs for many decades. Strategies to address this problem are needed immediately, as prevention of diabetes is far preferable to treatment.
A healthy diet is a key element in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Eating habits, cohesiveness, and emotional stability have a great impact on all family
members, especially the adolescent. Parents play a big role in shaping children’s eating habits. When parents eat a variety of foods that are low in fat and
sugar and high in fiber, children learn to like these foods as well. Several studies have reported that African American children have a higher fat and
cholesterol consumption when compared to Caucasian children. This eating pattern may be due to lack of parental supervision or cultural beliefs regarding
weight. In addition, many parents are not knowledgeable about good nutrition and obtain most of their information from the media which often provides
misleading data to increase sales and consumption.
In addition to diet, physical activity is important in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, Americans are becoming more sedentary for many
reasons, some groups more than others. One study documented a significant decline in levels of physical activity among African American and White girls
during adolescence. However, the decline in physical activity in the African American girls was found to be greater than the White girls. Factors contributing
to this disparity are unknown, but may include fewer physical education programs being offered in high schools in ethnically diverse communities.
Technology undoubtedly plays a role as adolescents engage in “screen time,” which consists of television, movies, games, and the Internet. Parents can set a
good example by going for a walk or bike ride after dinner instead of watching television.
By losing a small amount of weight through 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week and eating healthier, parents and children at risk for type 2
diabetes can delay or prevent the onset of the disease. For these young persons and their families, effective diabetes self-management is critically dependent
on education that is accessible, clear, and appealing. Proof of effectiveness for new educational approaches will only derive from clinical research that
actually takes place within the ethnically diverse communities themselves.
A community awareness campaign is being conducted by members of the UNITY research team. The campaign is raising community awareness about
the importance of programs and facilities for physical activity and resources for healthy nutrition via radio and personal appearances at local churches,
schools, community centers, and health care facilities. During this campaign, researchers distribute diabetes risk assessment surveys to parents and
adolescents and provide information about local monthly community screenings. Parents of adolescents between the ages of 10 to 19 years with 2 or more risk
factors for type 2 diabetes will be invited to bring their child to a local community screening. Adolescents at high risk for developing diabetes and their parent
(s) will be invited to participate in the study. The intervention will include monthly sessions that cover self-care management skills in the areas of healthy
eating and physical activity. This pilot study will facilitate planning for a three-year trial focusing on the effectiveness and sustainability of diabetes screening
and prevention interventions throughout Wisconsin. If successful, these approaches could be translated to other states, with the potential to decrease the risk of
type 2 diabetes in many high risk adolescents.
and economic costs for many decades. Strategies to address this problem are needed immediately, as prevention of diabetes is far preferable to treatment.
A healthy diet is a key element in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Eating habits, cohesiveness, and emotional stability have a great impact on all family
members, especially the adolescent. Parents play a big role in shaping children’s eating habits. When parents eat a variety of foods that are low in fat and
sugar and high in fiber, children learn to like these foods as well. Several studies have reported that African American children have a higher fat and
cholesterol consumption when compared to Caucasian children. This eating pattern may be due to lack of parental supervision or cultural beliefs regarding
weight. In addition, many parents are not knowledgeable about good nutrition and obtain most of their information from the media which often provides
misleading data to increase sales and consumption.
In addition to diet, physical activity is important in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, Americans are becoming more sedentary for many
reasons, some groups more than others. One study documented a significant decline in levels of physical activity among African American and White girls
during adolescence. However, the decline in physical activity in the African American girls was found to be greater than the White girls. Factors contributing
to this disparity are unknown, but may include fewer physical education programs being offered in high schools in ethnically diverse communities.
Technology undoubtedly plays a role as adolescents engage in “screen time,” which consists of television, movies, games, and the Internet. Parents can set a
good example by going for a walk or bike ride after dinner instead of watching television.
By losing a small amount of weight through 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week and eating healthier, parents and children at risk for type 2
diabetes can delay or prevent the onset of the disease. For these young persons and their families, effective diabetes self-management is critically dependent
on education that is accessible, clear, and appealing. Proof of effectiveness for new educational approaches will only derive from clinical research that
actually takes place within the ethnically diverse communities themselves.
A community awareness campaign is being conducted by members of the UNITY research team. The campaign is raising community awareness about
the importance of programs and facilities for physical activity and resources for healthy nutrition via radio and personal appearances at local churches,
schools, community centers, and health care facilities. During this campaign, researchers distribute diabetes risk assessment surveys to parents and
adolescents and provide information about local monthly community screenings. Parents of adolescents between the ages of 10 to 19 years with 2 or more risk
factors for type 2 diabetes will be invited to bring their child to a local community screening. Adolescents at high risk for developing diabetes and their parent
(s) will be invited to participate in the study. The intervention will include monthly sessions that cover self-care management skills in the areas of healthy
eating and physical activity. This pilot study will facilitate planning for a three-year trial focusing on the effectiveness and sustainability of diabetes screening
and prevention interventions throughout Wisconsin. If successful, these approaches could be translated to other states, with the potential to decrease the risk of
type 2 diabetes in many high risk adolescents.
By Dr. Eva M. Vivian
A federal agency recently reported that one in three children born in 2000 would develop type 2 diabetes (T2DM).
Approximately 2.5 million adolescents in the United States are considered to have “prediabetes” and are at risk for
developing T2DM before they reach adulthood. Type 2 diabetes is most prevalent among obese adolescents from ethnic
minority groups, particularly Native Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and African Americans. It is hard to detect type 2 diabetes
in children because it can go undiagnosed for a long time; because children may have no symptoms or mild symptoms; and
because blood tests are needed for diagnosis.
The disease of our grandparents is now effecting our children. Type 2 diabetes was once a disease that effected
overweight persons over 40 years of age. Twenty years ago children identified with diabetes would normally be type 1. In
type 1 diabetes, the body attacks and kills cells in the pancreas, which makes insulin. Type 1 sufferers must use insulin
injections, but type 2 sufferers can control diabetes with diet and exercise, though some may need oral medications and
insulin injections. Vivian says the big culprits appear to be inactivity and obesity. And it makes sense: 75 percent of patients
diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are obese, and by the government’s estimate, about 6 million American children are now
overweight enough to put their health in danger.
Overweight adolescents with T2DM are at risk of developing heart disease and other diabetes related complications
A federal agency recently reported that one in three children born in 2000 would develop type 2 diabetes (T2DM).
Approximately 2.5 million adolescents in the United States are considered to have “prediabetes” and are at risk for
developing T2DM before they reach adulthood. Type 2 diabetes is most prevalent among obese adolescents from ethnic
minority groups, particularly Native Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and African Americans. It is hard to detect type 2 diabetes
in children because it can go undiagnosed for a long time; because children may have no symptoms or mild symptoms; and
because blood tests are needed for diagnosis.
The disease of our grandparents is now effecting our children. Type 2 diabetes was once a disease that effected
overweight persons over 40 years of age. Twenty years ago children identified with diabetes would normally be type 1. In
type 1 diabetes, the body attacks and kills cells in the pancreas, which makes insulin. Type 1 sufferers must use insulin
injections, but type 2 sufferers can control diabetes with diet and exercise, though some may need oral medications and
insulin injections. Vivian says the big culprits appear to be inactivity and obesity. And it makes sense: 75 percent of patients
diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are obese, and by the government’s estimate, about 6 million American children are now
overweight enough to put their health in danger.
Overweight adolescents with T2DM are at risk of developing heart disease and other diabetes related complications
