Children, Young Adults & Diabetes - How You Can Help Your Kids

Another new study shows that obesity is taking a serious toll on children and young adults leaving them to face a lifetime of diabetes and related health challenges.  The study's lead researcher was Dr. Joyce Lee, M.D., MPH, a pediatric endocrinologist and member of the Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Unit in the University Of Michigan Division Of General Pediatrics. The research was published in the journal, Diabetes Care, December 2007, Vol. 30, No. 12.

The study found significant increases in hospitalizations among children and young adults age 29 or younger due to diabetes. The number of children and young adults with diabetes who were hospitalized increased 38% between 1993 and 2004. During that period, hospital charges for diabetes care provided to children and young adults more than doubled, from $1.05 billion in 1993 to $2.42 billion in 2004.

"The number of young adults hospitalized with diabetes in the U.S. has increased significantly over the past decade, along with the rate of childhood obesity," says Dr. Lee.  "Today's young adults experienced childhood and adolescence in the leading edge of the childhood obesity epidemic in the 1970s and 1980s. Our findings suggest that we may now just be beginning to see the first manifestation of a related 'diabetes epidemic' among these young adults."

In short, children who learn an unhealthy lifestyle and become overweight while young, continue that unhealthy lifestyle into adulthood. Before they are 30 years old they become obese and stricken with Type 2 Diabetes. The countless hours of TV and computer game time have crowded physical activities out of the picture.  The junk food, fast food, chips, candy, trans fats, milk shakes, energy drinks and sodas might put a smile on their face for now - but what about tomorrow?  As parents, we really need to take this seriously and start making some changes.

When your children are 30 years old, slim, healthy and leading a happy, vibrant lifestyle they will thank you for guiding them in the right direction when they were young.  The research is crystal clear - children who learn healthy lifestyle and eating habits while young carry those good habits into their teen and young adult years.  As they become parents, they pass these healthy habits on to their children creating a life of health and happiness for future generations in your family line.

Wholefood Farmacy foods offer parents everywhere a convenient way to teach their children healthy eating habits at a young age.  Having healthy snacks on hand at all times is the first step to weaning them off junk food and allowing them to learn how delicious and satisfying healthy whole foods can be.

Leading by example is the key to success and as a parent, this starts with knowing your own risk of diabetes. Click the link below to use the comprehensive diabetes risk assessment tool offered by the Washington University School Of Medicine. - Click Here