Kids at Risk For Diabetes

Registered Nurse, Diabetes Educator, CDE, Obesity, Children, Youth, Lifestyle

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Childhood Diabetes Progresses Quickly

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Life Lessons:

We just don’t go through life.

We grow through life’s experiences.

Some lessons can be very difficult to accept. Being diagnosed with diabetes is one of them.

Your first reactions is shock. How can this be? Followed closely by denial. The test must be wrong? Next comes frustration or anger. How can this be happening to me? Followed by bargaining. If I lose weight it will go away.

Eventually, after failing to keep the required weight off, you become depressed. You realize this is going to be your life; it is not going away. Then you start to seek realistic solutions, usually involving taking medication. Finally your perception changes to acceptance.

So many times, people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes take a long time to move through these normal changes. Many times they develop complications from uncontrolled blood sugars before accepting their diagnoses.

Time isn’t a luxury with childhood diabetes

Unfortunately, with youth-onset type 2 in young people, you don’t have that time. Progression is much quicker. Once weight-challenged children are diagnosed with type 2, it is too late to reverse their beta cell destruction.

Type 2 in children is very different from adult on-set.

  • Unlike adults, children’s problems with blood sugar have more to do with fatty liver disease than with insulin resistance.
  • Unlike adults, children with type 2 can lose up to 37% of their beta cells in one year.
  • Unlike adults, as soon as their blood sugar cannot be controlled with medications, they need insulin.

Because of the worldwide obesity epidemic, it has been predicted that we will experience a public health catastrophe. We need to improve the overall wellness of our children during childhood. Parents cannot wait until their child is diagnosed.

Knowledge is power!  To determine your child’s risk for type 2 diabetes, download my checklist. If any of the items on this list pertain to your child or children, you should consider my 30-day kid’s program.

If you want to start protecting your family, my kid’s program is good for the whole family!

Childhood Obesity: 1st in a Series

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Part 1:  If you wait until they are diagnosed, it is too late.

This is the beginning. We call it obesity; children measuring over the 85th percentile for weight given their age and height. We used to call it morbid obesity because it triggers chronic health conditions that can threaten your life. Weight problems in children can affect their future health, either more immediately or as they become young adults.

The difference between adult and childhood diabetes

When an adult is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, they are told to lose 10% of their body weight and it may revert to prediabetes. This is not true in children! Type 2 diabetes progresses so quickly in children, many of them are put on insulin within two years.

Prediabetes in adults can last ten years or more. In children, prediabetes progresses into type 2 within 12 months. Plus, by the time they are diagnosed with type 2, their beta cells are already dying off. Type 2 in children, the beta cells can die up to 37% per year. This cannot be reversed with current medications. Hospitals can test to determine if the child has type 1 or type 2. But many of them need insulin as soon as they are diagnosed.

Puberty causes many changes

Weight problems accelerate during puberty. Children who may be above normal weight before puberty can quickly change during puberty due to human growth hormone. Their body grows and develops quickly during this time. Parents should monitor their child’s BMI (Body Mass Index) during this phase. (Note: I recommend parents use the CDC charts for BMI including waist circumference for a more accurate evaluation.) https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/childrens_bmi/about_childrens_bmi.html

If you see significant changes in their BMI, talk to your child about what they are doing.

  • Have they increased junk foods?
  • Are they eating out more?
  • Are they playing more computer games?
  • How has their daily life changed?

Daily choices now will affect their future

Encourage them to be mindful of how their daily choices are affecting their future.

Healthy living today will be the key to minimizing future health problems. Children’s weight over the 85th percentile can cause problems like high blood pressure, which over time triggers other problems like heart disease and strokes. (Narasimhan, 2015)

Severely obese children (the 95th percentile or more for weight) are at risk for serious health conditions like fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease in children is linked to early-onset type 2 diabetes and multiple complications from insulin resistance. (Narasimhan, 2015)

Summary

It’s sad but true: research proves that if the parent waits until the child is diagnosed, the damage is already done. Please don’t wait!

Resources

For more information about how weight gain can affect your child’s overall health, check out this article I recently published.

For more information on healthy lifestyle habits in children, part 2 in this series talks about lifestyle changes!

For information about my program Kids at Risk for Diabetes, please check out my course for the whole family.

If you always want to be notified when I publish a new article or blog post, please join my mailing list using the form below!

References

Narasimhan, S. a. (2015, Jun 1). HS Public Access. Retrieved from Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes: Lessons Learned from the Today Study: https://www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4319667/

Childhood Obesity: 2nd in a Series

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Part 2: Develop healthy lifestyles in children

Parents know in their heart when their child has a weight problem. They rationalize it by saying ‘it’s our family genetics’ or ‘they are perfect for playing football’. The truth is: if parents wait until their child is diagnosed, it is too late to reverse many chronic health conditions.

Healthy lifestyles start in infancy. We teach children to wash their hands, brush their teeth, take a bath and so many other important skills. Parents need to teach good lifestyle skills through puberty.

Have you ever had a two-year-old who was so excited (or hurt) that they could not speak clearly? Did you tell them to calm down but not tell them how? By telling them to take a deep breath, you are teaching them at a young age an effective coping skill. Taking several deep breaths can help reduce anxiety at any age.

Coping skills are not taught in school. When children are diagnosed with anxiety, they are often given medications. They can easily become dependent on these medications for the rest of their life. Parents need to teach a variety of coping skills to their children.

Do you teach your child how to slow down before going to sleep? Do you remove the video games, phones and other blue lights from their bedroom? Getting a good night’s sleep is important for good health.

Parents have many responsibilities

Parents have the responsibility to teach their children many good lifestyle skills. What are you teaching your children? What are you teaching by the examples in your life?

Parents can influence the future of their children in many ways. Through encouraging good study habits and rewarding good grades, we teach children the value of education. Encouraging our children to participate in sports, we teach children good sportsmanship and leadership skills. By doing things together we teach the value of family relationships. Parents provide environmental factors for successful young adults.

But did you know that the success of young adults is often influenced by their overall health? Eighty percent of overweight children continue to gain weight and are classified as obese in adulthood. Employers know obesity affects the overall health of the individual. Employers want to protect their bottom line limiting the number of employees with health problems. This will limit the opportunities that are available to them.

Take care of small problems before they become big problems

As adults, you know it is easier to lose 10 pounds than to lose 100 pounds. Weight problems slowly build up through poor choices. You are not suddenly 100 pounds overweight. Most people gain a little weight every year. That weight gain is normal in children. We want to believe kids will grow into their weight as they gain height. But it becomes really difficult for parents to know what is normal. That is why it is important to use the CDC’s growth charts.  https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/index.htm

Your children will understand better when they see the changes in the graphs. Talk to them about changes you can make together. Their future may depend on it.

For more information about small changes you can make and how to impact your children’s future, see blog post Part 3, which will talk about creating your family’s environment.

 

Remember to check out my 30-day course for the whole family. And please join my email list on the form below so you’ll be notified of new posts and get all of my freebies!

Children need activity every day!

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Children need activity every day!

Being active for children means being active every day. Adult exercise goals are 150 minutes each week. But children need activity every day for at least 30 minutes.

Cut down on screen time!

Kids need to cut down on computer time and video games.  They need encouragement to disconnect. Put a timer on them and make a record of how much time they are spending. Be the parent, stand firm. Use screen time as a reward.

Every day children need to go for a walk, or play at their playground.

3-5 times a week they need a cardio workout that will develop a healthy heart and lungs. There are many different kinds of aerobic exercise. It is important to increase their heart rate into a cardiac range. That range should be determined by your doctor.

Aerobic exercise examples:
  • step exercises
  • cross country running
  • rowing
  • stair climbing
  • wind surfing
  • racquetball
  • tennis
  • squash, you get the idea.

There are many different kinds of aerobic exercise. It is important to increase their heart rate into a cardiac range. That range should be determined by your doctor. One of the easiest way to encourage this type of activity is to get them into an organized sport. Even golf can get them motivated.

In addition, children need muscle strengthening and stretching exercises at least 3 time a week.

Muscle strengthening exercise examples:
  • weights
  • resistance bands
  • calisthenics like push-ups, jumping jacks, or lunges.

It is easy to stretch before you do the muscle strengthening routine and afterwards as a
cool down.

Start slow with 30 minutes each day. Set a goal of 60 minutes per day. Keep a record of all your exercise.

Record your progress on a calendar and celebrate your success!

Remember, a little progress everyday will become a healthier lifestyle over time.

Find an activity that they enjoy doing!

Schedule a time and commit to doing it.

Make your family’s health a priority!

This really is a lifestyle change.  It is so important to help control your weight and exercise is a great way to improve your health. Get started, you’ll feel better.

PRECAUTION NOTE: Before beginning any exercise program consult your physician.

Complications from elevated blood sugars include hypertension, cholesterol problems, eye problems, heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, foot problems, kidney disease or gastroparesis. Adults may be requested to complete a graded exercise evaluation before starting any exercise program due to these complications.

Do you need encouragement to increase your daily activities?  That’s what a life coach does! Email me if you have questions, Julie@kidsatriskfordiabetes.com. Also check out my 30 day virtual course for your whole family! Or schedule a call with me to discuss your specific needs.

Syndrome X

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Syndrome X, aka Metabolic Syndrome or Obesity Syndrome

Syndrome X is a diagnosis you might here if you are at risk for a chronic disease, which is also known as Metabolic Syndrome. This is a group of health conditions that puts an individual at risk for chronic health problems like heart disease, strokes, and diabetes, plus high blood pressure and obesity.

Metabolic syndrome includes: (you must have at least 3 risk factors for this diagnosis)

  • A large waistline or apple shape body
  • High total cholesterol (LDL, HDL  & VLDL)
  • Low HDL cholesterol (HDL improves your blood vessels)
  • High triglycerides (caused by daily overeating)
  • High blood pressure or taking medication for high blood pressure
  • Fasting blood glucose over 126 (early signs include blood glucose 100-125)
  • Other risk factors are your genetics and your age.

Insulin resistance increase your risk for an apple shaped body. Not everyone who gains weight develops an apple shape. However, insulin resistances causes fat to be deposited within your abdominal cavity.

Another common problem in metabolic syndrome is unacceptable levels of triglycerides. Many times triglycerides go up when people eat more calories during the day than they are burning. If you have above range triglycerides or are taking medications to control your triglycerides, then you are at risk for chronic disease.

If your LDL (low-density cholesterol) levels are high, that is another risk factor for a Syndrome X diagnosis. Cholesterol is often a reflection of the food you eat. Typically this is a high fat diet. It amazes me how many adolescents today are on cholesterol lowering medications. If you don’t know your cholesterol numbers, then you need to consult your medical provider and seek a blood test. Total blood cholesterol should be less than 200. If you are taking a medication to lower your cholesterol, then technically you have this medical diagnosis.

Metabolic syndrome includes blood pressure higher than preferred. I will say, trying to get accurate blood pressure reading on teens is difficult at best. First, acceptable pediatric blood pressures are difficult to pin down. You need to be educated in pediatric medicine to know what is acceptable. (Don’t go to the drug store with your children and get a reading; adult blood pressures are different from children’s numbers. Even adult sized machines can give wrong information for children.) Teens blood pressure can swing with changing thoughts (ask them about their personal problems and it will jump quickly).

My point: if a teen is taking medication for blood pressure, then they have been diagnosed with a health problem. At that time, the blood pressure may be within normal ranges, but they still have the diagnoses. This places them at higher risk for chronic disease like heart disease and kidney disease.

Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors include:
  • insulin resistance
  • stress
  • diet (sugar-sweetened drinks)
  • genetics & age
  • low physical activity
  • disrupted sleep patterns
  • mood disorders
  • excess alcohol
  • smoking (tobacco and other substances)
  • chronic inflammation
  • other chemical imbalances in the blood.
Metabolic Syndrome Associated Health Conditions include:
  • Polycystic ovary disease
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Hyperuricemia (uric acid in the blood)
  • Acanthosis nigricans
  • Fatty liver & Non-alcoholic fatty live disease

(More later on teens with fatty liver disease. I have been absolutely amazed at the number of preteens that I have seen diagnosed with fatty liver disease!)

 

Source:  National Heart Lung & Blood Institute  www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ms

https://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabolic-syndrome

 

Coping skills for children’s stress

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Coping skills for children’s stress

Few people today have developed good coping skills, which are especially important for children. It’s unfortunate that coping skills for children’s stress is not taught in most schools. I am amazed at the number of preteens that are taking antidepressants every day. Parents need to be very aware of the need to help their children learn good coping skills. Good nutrition is important with stress management. Parents really need to teach their children not to turn to carbs for comfort. Many weight problems are directly connected to eating during times of stress.

Unfortunately, coping skills are very individualized. It is possible that the coping skills which parents use may also help their children. But this is not always true.

Things you can do to help your children cope with stress

  • Adequate sleep is always important particularly in stressful situations, but many times stress will interrupt your sleep.
  • Some adults like to work-out to work off frustrations. Kids might like to participate in contact sports.
  • Talking with friends is a way we all de-stress; just be aware of where your children are getting advice.
  • Being over scheduled can cause a lot of stress. Be aware of how many activities your children are involved in.
  • Even being connected to their cell phones and keeping notifications on all night can increase stress hormones. Cell phones should be plugged in outside of their bedroom.

Find what works for you and your children. Many times taking several really deep breaths can calm someone down. Just be aware it may take up to 10 deep breaths. Some people meditate, do yoga, or go walking in the trees. Some people pray, while others find no benefits of prayer. My point, you really have to find what works for your kids and teach them to practice it often.

How stress affects diabetics

Especially if you are borderline diabetic, it is so important to find what coping mechanisms work for you. Learn to monitor your stress load and take care of your emotional health.

The emotional side of diabetes management is very important. Hormones released during stress will increase your blood sugars. Stress will raise your blood sugars unpredictably. Anyone who is diagnosed with a chronic disease will go through the steps of grieving. (The first step is denial!) Good coping skills will help individuals move forward with their lives after they have been diagnosed with a chronic disease.

Good luck and let me know what works for you! For more information contact me at Julie@kidsatriskfordiabetes.com.