Diabetes and children: Protecting your child

Childhood diabetes has been on the rise in recent years. The current prevalence of diabetes in South Africa (SA) is 8.27%, with an incidence rate of 0.8/100 000 for children aged 0 – 14 years. As disheartening as that news is, the truly sad part is that it can be prevented – and the earlier you start healthy habits in your children, the better.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a health condition in which your body is unable to process glucose effectively, either due to auto-immune Type 1 diabetes, or the more gradual lifestyle-related Type 2 diabetes. It can affect people of all ages, including children.

According to the Wits University Donal Gordon Medical Centre, children are presenting with diabetes at an ever-increasing rate and at younger and younger ages. Type 1 diabetes (juvenile-onset diabetes, insulin-dependent diabetes) is the most commonly encountered form of diabetes presenting in children, but type 2 diabetes (adult-onset, non-insulin-dependent) is now presenting in adolescence and childhood associated with the obesity epidemic and is prevalent in certain ethnic groups.

Diabetes and children

Diabetes symptomatic presence and intensity may be different for everyone, but there are some common signs and symptoms to look out for. If you’re concerned about your child’s health, book an appointment to chat with your family doctor, paediatrician, or clinic team.

Good to know: Children with diabetes should be referred to a paediatric diabetes specialist centre that has a team that specialises in the treatment of children with diabetes because care is very different from adults with diabetes. 

Protecting your children against diabetes

Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can sometimes be prevented. Kids who get type 2 diabetes are usually diagnosed in their early teens. One reason is that hormones present during puberty make it harder for the body to use insulin, especially for girls, who are more likely than boys to develop type 2 diabetes. That’s an important reason to help your kids take charge of their health while they’re young.

Good to know: Excessive weight gain, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle are all things that put a person at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Encourage your child to eat properly and stay fit

Proper diet and exercise go a very long way in keeping diabetes at bay and maintaining your child’s overall health. In terms of diet, encouraging your child to follow sensible healthy guidelines can make a big difference.

Avoid excess sugar by cutting out sweet snacks and sugar-enhanced drinks like soda, give them plenty of fruits and vegetables and lean meats.

Staying active and limiting the time spent in sedentary activities (like watching TV, being online, or playing video or computer games) can help reduce your child’s risk of weight gain and help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.