Lowering Risk for Type 2 Diabetes by Adopting Healthy Habits
Cindy Morrison
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Diabetes is a serious health problem facing Americans, including very young children. The education of both parents and teachers working with children may be an effective method of combating the disease. The goal of this project was to provide education on the prevention of diabetes through diet to parents and teachers of children enrolled in a local elementary school.
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body does not produce insulin for glucose transportation or the insulin is unable to properly transport the glucose to the cells. If this disease is insufficiently controlled, it can lead to serious complications such as kidney disease, heart disease, and nervous system disease. The most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes which occurs in 90-95% of all cases. Obesity is a major risk factor. In previous years, type 2 diabetes was typically a concern for adults 45 years and older. However, with obesity on the rise, the incidence of type 2 diabetes has now become a concern for obese children, adolescents, and younger adults. It is estimated that approximately 17 million people in the United States have diabetes. Between 1993 and 2001, the prevalence of diabetes rose an estimated 34 percent. Between 1980 and the year 2000, the percentage of children who were overweight, between the ages of 6-18, more than doubled. The startling increase has labeled childhood obesity as an “epidemic”.
The causes for obesity can be contributed to genetics, but genetics is only a small part in this rising epidemic. Children are now eating more and moving less, thus contributing to the obesity rate. Parents need to take important steps in incorporating healthy habits into their family’s lifestyle. Among the important steps include: planning family activities that involve exercise, eating meals together as a family, keeping healthy snacks available, setting time limits on television and video games, involving children in meal planning and grocery shopping, and not using food as a punishment or reward. In addition, parents and caregivers should educate themselves on food portions and the importance of reading the nutrition facts labels. It is important to note that children should never be put on restrictive diets, unless done so by a doctor for medical reasons. Children need food for growth, development, and energy.
After an initial presentation, participants completed quizzes on appropriate portion sizes, nutrients available in different foods, and label reading. The question and answer session after the program revealed previous misinterpretations of nutrition facts and adherence to inappropriate sources of nutrition information by many of the individuals in attendance.
Future presentations are planned based on participants’ response.
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For more
information, send e-mail to: Jacquie Rainey, jacquier@mail.uca.edu |
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