Diabetes risk linked to weight

Q: My teenage daughter is alarmingly overweight. Does this increase her risk of diabetes? A: “Yes, Type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body can’t properly use insulin it produces, is often related to an unhealthy weight,” says Roula Sabbagh, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. “Whereas Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body can’t make insulin, Type 2, formerly considered adult-onset diabetes, has been diagnosed among overweight children and adolescents with disturbing frequency.”

Reduce diabetes risk

“The continuing rise of this disease among adolescents need not be inevitable,” Dr. Sabbagh says. “Proactive lifestyle adjustments can help reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.”

Her recommendations: • Eat portion-controlled meals.

Limit fast foods. No “supersizing.” • Serve high-fiber foods such as whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. • Make water and low-fat milk the

drink of choice. • Be physically active 30 to 60

minutes most days of the week. • Limit TV and video games to

less than two hours a day. • Have regular pediatric exams, which may include testing blood-glucose levels and, if the doctor thinks there is a need, prescription medications. • Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. “Remember: A pediatrician is your best source for information about lifestyle strategies and medical options regarding your child’s long-term health,” she emphasizes.