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Children at Risk for Adult Diabetes

07/08/2021 by healthcoach Leave a Comment

Children at Risk for Chronic Disease Due to Obesity refers to the chronic diseases that your child is predisposed to if they are overweight, such as diabetes and heart disease. Read more to learn how you can evaluate your child's risk and what you can do about it.

Children at risk type 2 diabetes due to obesity

In previous generations, the medical profession had few occasions to monitor children for adult health issues. Today, children are experiencing increasing problems with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other health problems related to obesity. Although obesity is ever increasing in children, many times our health care system is lagging behind in identification and approved treatment.   

Obesity is the main cause for kids being at risk for Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Children are classified as overweight who are above the 85th percentile for age and sex. To be classified as obese, a child’s BMI will be over the 95th percentile for age and sex or their weight is greater than 120% over ideal for height(1). But being at risk for diabetes is much more than just a weight issue.

First: If one or both parents have been diagnosed with diabetes, then the child has the genetics putting them at risk for diabetes.

According to the SEARCH study, at least 75% of youth diagnosed with type 2 have at least one close family member who has diabetes. (Close family members include mother father sisters or brothers.)  (searchfordiabetes.org)

Second: If the child’s BMI (body mass index) is over 28, it indicates that their life-style places them at additional risk. 

BMI can be misleading on its own. You should also consider waist circumference. (http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/childrens_bmi/about_childrens_bmi.html)

(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851850/) 

Third: If they have high blood pressure. This one is tricky because blood pressure can be affected by many things including anxiety. If you or your child become anxious about going to the doctor, then chances are your blood pressure will be elevated. Taking several deep breaths before taking the blood pressure can help. It is important to get an accurate reading. 

If you would like to monitor a child’s blood pressure, there are automatic machines available at most pharmacies and many department stores. I recommend using one of these machines because they are more reliable (ensure accurate readings) as compared to home monitors. Doctors are wanting blood pressure reading less than the 90th percentile on at least three measurements.(2) You can refer to the CDC guidelines for these recommended values.

(http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/growthcharts/training/modules/module3/text/bloodpressure.htm)

The rule of thumb for children age 7-15 years old is: multiple 2 times your child’s age and add 90. This gives you the median for systolic pressure (the upper number). For the diastolic (lower number) subtract 30-45 from your systolic number. This is just an average number, the number you get can be higher or lower (for more information see: http://www.fpnotebook.com/CV/Exam/PdtrcVtlSgns.htm)

Fourth: Dyslipidemia. Now that is a big word! It means high cholesterol or high triglycerides. You need a fasting blood test to check for these conditions. Ask your doctor for this information.

Fifth: High Blood Sugar. Teens with a fasting blood glucose (FBG) 100 – 125 mg/dL or a random blood test greater than 199 mg/dL are at risk. For children younger than their teens, you should consult your pediatrician for this information. A1C is a non-fasting blood test. The results will vary with the age of your child. 

A1C is not recommended to use to diagnose diabetes in children so it may not be covered by insurance. It is a good indicator if your teen’s tolerance to sugar is a problem. Younger children run higher blood sugars and the A1C test is not recommended for them. The readings for A1C are determined by the age of the child and industry standards have NOT be determined (as of this writing).

American Diabetes Association recommends testing asymptomatic youth for Type 2 if they are overweight plus any 2 of the following risk factors:  

  • Diabetes screening should be repeated every three years.
  • Family history of Type 2 in first or second degree relatives
  • Native American, Latino, African American, Asian or Pacific Islander ethnicity
  • Mother with a history of gestational diabetes during the child’s gestation
  • Signs of insulin resistance or conditions associated with insulin resistance including acanthosis nigricans, hypertension, dyslipidemia, polycystic ovary syndrome or small for gestational age birth weight(3)

Symptoms of high blood sugar include:

  • Unusual Thirst (they can’t drink enough)
  • Frequent urination (going to the bathroom more than once in the night)
  • Headaches, especially after eating sugary foods
  • Tired, no energy; especially after a meal
  • Unusually hungry; (I have seen these kids start eating two full lunches – this indicates a hormone imbalance)
  • Anxious (there are times when they want food NOW)

For more information about how to teach your kids and your family good habits for a healthy future, check out my healthy kids and family 30 day virtual program.

1) American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes – 2013. Diabetes Care. 2013;36 (suppl 1): S11-S66.

2) Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents: summary report. Pediatrics. 2011;128 (suppl 5):S213-S256.

3) American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2013;36 (suppl 1) S11-S66

 

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Filed Under: Children, Health, Prediabetes

First-aid box for emotions

05/30/2017 by healthcoach 1 Comment

Have you ever thought of having a first-aid toolbox for your emotions? This is a must-read for great tips on what to do when your emotions need first-aid!

First-Aid Box for Emotions

In today’s world of high stress, we often need reminders to take care of our emotional needs. Making a first-aid box for times of depression will help you be prepared for those times when you have the blues.

Please note: if you are suicidal, please seek professional help!

Here are some suggestions, please feel free to add you suggestions to this list!

A Journal. As a teen, many of us had a journal. Writing helps us to allow our mind to go in different directions. So many times, when you give yourself the opportunity to slow down through writing, your own thoughts will reveal your best solutions. If you need a subject to get started, you can always count your blessings. Many times thinking about the advantages you have will change your perceptions. Being depressed is a result of your perceptions. Changing one thought can change your whole day.

Mementos! Make a box with a few of your favorite things. Mementos help us recall better times. Sometimes it is the soft touch of a stuffed toy or the smell of something that brings back your memories of good times. Pictures help us remember those people who connect with us on a personal level. Take pictures of bigger items, and make real copies of your pictures so you can hold them in your hands. There are many different kinds of mementos, but try to keep your box small.

Music! Your favorite songs will improve your mood. Songs from your childhood can bring a smile back to your face. Whatever music from your past, keep a copy of it. Remember to play your music when you are blue. Also, if the electricity goes out, have a printout of the lyrics. You can sing them and really put a smile on your face and everyone else. Music is powerful. Remember to use it!

Inspirational quotes and encouraging articles or books. We all have quotes we admire. Write them onto 3” x 5” cards and include them in your first-aid box. Make notes of inspiration from books you have read. Print off an encouraging article and keep it in your box. Any time you find something that gives you a lift, write it down and add it to your box. If you are religious, include Bible verses.

Candy? Be careful, foods can draw bugs. But individually wrapped candies could be added, in which the quick acting carbohydrates can give you a lift. Just don’t get carried away!

Contacts. Be sure to keep a written list of people you can call. Sometimes we lose track of people. It is important to reach out for help. It may be someone from your past. Keep their contact information in your first-aid box.

Our situation in the United States could change quickly. Nobody knows what is going to happen next. Bad storms could knock out the electricity for days. Earthquakes could change everything. It is always best to be prepared. Taking time now to consider your emotional needs will help you and your family. Others will appreciate your efforts too.

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Filed Under: Resources

Stages of Motivation

02/07/2017 by healthcoach 7 Comments

Stages of Motivation refers to the process of deciding and then acting on your decision to make lifestyle changes, to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes...

Stages of Motivation

There are stages you go through with any change in your life. This refers to the stages of motivation. Pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and then falling off the wagon. Think of how many times you have started a diet, maybe been successful losing weight, and then falling back into old habits.   

Stages of Motivation for Changes

There are many stages of motivation for lifestyle changes. Many times we do really well, and we backslide. Then we may find the motivation to improve our lives again. And probably backslide again. We can’t teach children the same way we teach adults. I believe if we can teach them healthy lifestyles as children, it will carry over into adulthood.

But what motivates you to make changes? That is a hard question that only you can answer. A good coach can give suggestions but only you know what works for you. Communication is key. You have to work with someone you trust and be willing to communicate with them.

The first stage is education

The first stage is to be educated enough to know what to do. Most diabetes educators try to educate you on the problems high blood sugars cause in your body. They may focus on the complications high blood sugars can cause, like heart attacks and blindness and lower limb amputations. But many people get overwhelmed with everything involved with diabetes management and just give up. We can never give up on our kids!

I ask you – what will it take for you to seriously make life changes?  

A motivation that says: I don’t care what it takes, I won’t put up with this anymore.

I will take charge of life….  quit living a life of default, and do what is best for my family!

Just be aware, if you are diagnosed with prediabetes, 99% of you will become diabetic if no changes in your lifestyle are made. I have seen so many diabetics take it seriously after the damage of high blood sugar is done. Diabetes Prevention Research show 58% of people who take charge of their lives when diagnosed with prediabetes can prevent this progression. It can be done. Seventy percent of people over 60 years old have successfully prevented or delayed this progression through lifestyle changes. (Could they be more motivated by their age?)

The choice is yours. But your success will be greater with a life coach to keep you on target. If you have diabetes or want to avoid your kids from getting diabetes, I have a 30 day virtual course you might be interested in! Contact me for more details at Julie@kidsatriskfordiabetes.com or schedule a phone consultation with me.

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Filed Under: Health Tagged With: diabetes, motivation

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