Healthy Kids: Preventing Type 2 Diabetes in Children Type 2 diabetes develops when your body can’t process glucose into energy properly. Oftentimes, we associate type 2 diabetes with adults, but did you know it’s on the rise for children too? As a parent, you want your kids to be happy, healthy and safe. Do you know what to do to prevent chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes? What Should I Look Out For?Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes can go unnoticed and may be discovered at your child’s check-up appointments. To catch type 2 diabetes early, be on the lookout for: < Prev Next > Increased thirst Frequent urination Increased hunger Tiredness Blurred or vision issues Darkened areas of skin (e.g., neck, armpits, groin) Unintended weight loss or weight gain Frequent infections and illnesses How Can I Support My Child’s Health? For the most part, type 2 diabetes is preventable with lifestyle choices. With type 2 diabetes, energy isn’t delivered to important parts of the body like muscles and organs. This can lead to kids not getting the energy they need for healthy growth and development. Yet, there are many ways to ensure your child maintains a healthy weight and reduces their risk for type 2 diabetes. Image caption could go here. ActivityStaying active is an important part of life no matter your age, and for kids it’s especially important. Physical activity in kids has many benefits, including better performance at school, stronger muscles, reduced body fat and mental health benefits to name a few. A great way to ensure your child stays active is to be active as a family. Have your kids join you when you’re physically active and encourage them to pursue activities they enjoy. Incorporating physical activity into your kid’s weekly routine sets them up for a lifetime of success. Check out the physical activity recommendations to support your child’s weight management.Aim for 60 minutes of intentional movement a day (this can be spread out). Try new activities together – even parents need recess! Turn chores and errands into games with healthy prizes. Limit screen time to promote more movement. Image caption could go here. NutritionWhen possible, include your kids in meal planning, grocery shopping and meal prepping. You may have a picky eater on your hands, so getting creative with incorporating the five food groups might be in order. MyPlate Kids has great resources and educational tools to help jumpstart getting kids involved in their nutrition. Some fun ways to get your kid involved in the kitchen include having them hang out with you while you cook, asking them to help with simple and safe tasks, designating certain kitchen utensils as ‘theirs’ and creating fun experiences (e.g., making food songs, relating foods to other objects, making food into shapes). Check out Warfighter Wellness Nutrition to learn more about creating healthy eating habits. As kids age into adulthood, these tools and skills will help them make healthier food choices. Watch out for sugary drinks and snacks. Swap highly processed foods for healthier whole foods when possible. Learn about reading nutrition facts labels together. Create a healthy relationship with food. Image caption could go here. SleepRecommended hours of sleep vary by age group. Sleep is incredibly important for many reasons. Not getting enough sleep impacts hormones that signal hunger and fullness, which directly impact calorie intake. Sleep is also an important time for the body to grow and heal, regulate hormones and support healthy brain function. Getting the right amount of quality sleep is also linked to reduced insulin resistance and more stable blood glucose levels.Create a nighttime routine Build a cozy sleep environment Limit meals close to bedtime Aim for going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day. Many of the health habits that reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes for you as a parent also apply to your children. Kids often engage in similar activities and lifestyle behaviors as their parents, so modeling healthy behaviors starts with you. Building a strong, healthy family can set the tone for your child’s health outcomes. If you have room for improvement in your health behaviors and want to start building healthier habits for you and your family, check out the Armed Forces Wellness Centers and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) centers. Additional ResourcesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention - “CDC-Recognized Family Healthy Weight Programs”Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion - “Presidential Youth Fitness Program”U.S. Department of Agriculture - “SNAP-Ed. Connection”ReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention - “Child Activity: An Overview”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. - “Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Children”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - “Preventing Type 2 Diabetes in Kids”Cleveland Clinic - “How Much Sleep Kids Need: Recommended Hours By Age”Johns Hopkins Medicine - “Type 2 Diabetes in Children”Mayo Clinic - “Type 2 diabetes in children”Rudnicka, A. R. et al - “Sleep Duration and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes”
