Children are at increasing risk of developing the disease

NO ONE is born with diabetes but one is born with predisposition to develop it, according to the Philippine Center for Diabetes Education Foundation (PCDEF).

Years ago, there was a misconception that only adults could develop diabetes. But these days, children at a very young age could suffer from diabetes.

However, PCDEF also noted that “many predisposed individuals may ward off the appearance of the disease.”

Weight could be the most obvious indicator of the onset of diabetes. Medical journals point to obesity and physical inactivity as causes of diabetes among children and teens.

Children and teens usually suffer from Type 1 diabetes. But lately, young people have developed Type 2 diabetes, which is more commonly known as “adult-onset diabetes.”

While Type 2 is considered to be not as life-threatening as Type 1, it still poses the danger of developing various complications or may lead to blindness, and heart or kidney disease. If not detected early or left untreated, diabetes in children may put them at risk of developing circulatory problems, which might lead to amputation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) points out that, “The frequency of diabetes is rising around the world, and studies are showing children are at increasing risk of developing the disease.”

WHO’s record shows an upward trend in “newly diagnosed cases of type 1 diabetes, particularly in younger children” in many countries.

There are ways to spot a person with diabetes. However, these indicators may not specifically mean that someone has diabetes. They could still be suffering from another disease. Consulting a doctor is still the best way to diagnose the disease.

People who have diabetes usually lose weight rapidly. The body can no longer produce or use fat as it should be, and it uses all the fat and muscle for energy. When someone has been eating a lot and still loses weight, it’s time to take notice and consult a doctor.

Peeing often or excessively usually, if not always, suggests that someone has developed the disease. The body is trying to flush out the extra blood sugar through the urine.

Usually, families who have a history of diabetes are already cautious and look after kids who might be predisposed with the disease.

In the event that diabetes is inevitable, several things have to be done diligently to prevent it from getting worse. If a child or teen is already dependent on insulin shots, they had to be given religiously and on time.

Weight management among children is one of the many ways parents can do to prevent diabetes. They have to watch out what food to eat or follow a healthy eating plan provided for by a nutritionist.

Physical activity or regular exercise could do wonders not only to diabetics but also to or- dinary people. Exercise can help in weight management and improve stamina.

Recent developments are encouraging as “a new test for diagnosing diabetes mellitus has been accepted by a WHO-backed group of experts, offering a more practical approach to test for the disease that affects close to 350 million people worldwide.”