WJHG - Medical Minute - Headlines

Type 2 Diabetes on the Rise in Children

Updated: Wed 9:21 PM, Jun 08, 2011

Just a few years ago type two diabetes was referred to as adult onset because it mainly affected older people. But that has changed.

Unfortunately we're seeing more and more children develop type two diabetes. The reason? Lifestyle.

According to the director of Bay County's diabetes center, Jo Colville, "We are a heavy population. Florida is one of the heaviest. And weight tends to trigger diabetes, especially type two diabetes in individuals and so we're seeing an increase number of those."

With 25 percent of the population projected to have diabetes by the year 2050, Colville says we need to fight the problem now.

"Super sized industry that has taken over America in terms of eating habits you know it's got to get back to the old tried and true; eating specific portions and that will definitely help control blood sugars, prevent obesity and get us to be a healthier nation."

But watching what you eat isn't the only concern.

Colville says, "Exercise plays an important part as well and that too is something we don't do as much as we did back in the 50s, 60s and 70s, and so that's contributing to the obesity and contributing to the diabetes."

According to Colville, a great place to start is with our kids.

"Especially PE in school that is something that probably needs to come back in order to improve children's health since we're seeing so many children with type two diabetes and obesity; that's a huge issue and I hope that educational leaders will consider that in the future."

Being diagnosed with diabetes is shocking enough. Now, some patients are learning they suffer from two different types of diabetes at the same time. It's being called type 3 diabetes, a new and dangerous condition that has health officials concerned.

Diabetes 3 means the brain is no longer secreting enough insulin and in turn the brain's cells will deteriorate. As the brain cells stop working, the brain's receptors also decline in function. Some believe Alzheimer's is actually diabetes type 3.


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