Obese Children and Diabetes
Posted in Health, Weight Loss by inMotion Life
The Relationship Between Obese Children and Diabetes
Diabetes is fast becoming an epidemic in the United States and much of the Western world. One of the reasons for this is that the number of obese children is on the rise, and these obese children are growing into obese adults. One of the more serious health issues faced by an obese child, is the body’s ability to process sugar. This health problem begins early on, and can cause diabetes in adults at a relatively young age.
When a child is overweight, their body’s systems are overtaxed. However, a child doesn’t just become overweight accidentally. Poor diet and a lack of exercise in any combination will contribute to a child being overweight.
And it’s not necessarily the weight itself that causes many of the health problems in an obese child. Instead it’s more likely the diet and lifestyle that led the child to become fat, which causes the problems.
Type I Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most serious health conditions people are faced with today. Fortunately, diabetes is for the most part, preventable. Type I diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops functioning properly. This type of diabetes is also known as juvenile diabetes. This isn’t a preventable disease because it simply happens when an organ malfunctions.
Type II Diabetes
Type II diabetes on the other hand is almost always preventable. This is a disease caused by lifestyle choices like diet and lack of exercise. While there are cases where it seemed a person was doing everything in their power to stay fit and they still developed diabetes, in most cases the condition was brought on by poor dietary choices.
People who have type II diabetes can usually stop the disease and even reverse it by following a healthy diet that cuts out simple carbohydrates. Foods high in certain types of carbohydrates contribute to the development of diabetes, so eliminating them can make a huge difference.
When adults who have diabetes alter their diets, dramatic improvements can take place. They lose weight and lower their blood sugar levels naturally. This can lead to an end of the diabetes, and they may be able to stop taking the pills, and possibly even the insulin shots.
What Causes Children to Become Diabetics
The health problems in an obese child often start when they’re young, even though diabetes may not develop until they are an adult. That’s because it’s a slow progressing disease and can take years before the body responds.
When a child eats a diet high in simple carbohydrates like flour and sugar, large amounts of glucose are released into the blood stream after they have eaten. Because kids’ bodies are so adaptable, their bodies work efficiently to remove the excess glucose by releasing large amounts of insulin to take care of it.
Over time, the large amounts of insulin released into the blood stream can damage the vessels and arteries. Eventually the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin, just like a person can become resistant to antibiotics or other drugs.
The body then stops sending out insulin, and the blood sugar is no longer controlled. At this point, pills or insulin injections are required. This serious health issue in the obese child may take years to develop, but it will do damage throughout their entire childhood if it isn’t stopped.
Parents, take control of yours and your children’s diet and health today, and help prevent the onset of diabetes!
