Prevent diabetes in your children

THE statistics are startling. In the U.S., 1 in 2 minorities, and 1 in 3 people born in 2000 or later, will develop diabetes in their lifetime. This means that if an American has a 7-year-old African-American child, they have a 50 percent chance of developing Type 2 diabetes.

These statistics will hold true as long as current trends continue and more children become overweight. Excess weight is a huge risk factor for children developing type 2 diabetes.

Statistics continue to suggest that this newest generation may be one of the first not to outlive their parents, to develop an adult disease in childhood, and to have complications from diabetes by the time they reach adulthood. Is this what we want for our children?

Preventing Type 2 diabetes is the same for kids as it is for adults. It all comes down to exercise and healthy eating. Eating and exercise habits are learned from family, so you have a big role to play in your child's health.

This does not mean that children should be on a diet; though, that children need to be taught healthy eating. Start with something easy like drinks - kids don't need sodas, lemonade, or iced tea. They need to drink water and milk, period.

Teach healthy eating by thinking more about the food groups. Plan for every dinner to include at least one vegetable. Start practicing portion control, especially with meals eaten away from home. Plan healthy snacks for your children.

This technologically savvy generation of kids is losing out on essential physical activity. They now have no reason to walk or bike to a friend's house because they can email or text-message them. Instead of playing outside together, they play video games together (or alone). When schools are strapped financially, one of the first things they jettison is physical education. Children need to be physically active, just as adults do.

You must be the role model for your kids. Encourage your kids to be interested in healthy eating and exercise.

(SD-Agencies)