Archive for July, 2006
This children’s health and fitness blog has discussed how environmental factors contribute to the rise in children’s Type 2 Diabetes. Unfortunately, new findings ( link ) arise frequently that support this problem and the need to fight it. “Children who get obesity-related diabetes face a much higher risk of kidney failure and death by middle age than people who develop diabetes as adults, a study suggests.” The research also supports the theory that the life span of US citizens is decreasing due to obesity related illnesses.
The facts do not lie. More from the study states…..”Of the 1,865 participants with Type 2 diabetes, 96 developed it in childhood. The average age at which the young people acquired diabetes was about 17, although the disease was diagnosed in children as young as 3 1/2 .
During at least 15 years of follow-up, 15, or 16 per cent, of those with childhood-onset Type 2 diabetes developed end-stage kidney failure or died from diabetic kidney disease by age 55. That compared with 133, or eight per cent, of those who developed diabetes after age 20.
Most of the 20 million Americans with diabetes are adults with Type 2. While a generation ago, Type 2 diabetes was almost unheard of in children, the incidence has increased substantially in the past decade, largely because of obesity and lack of exercise.
Diabetes impairs the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels. That can lead to damage to the kidneys and to blood vessels.
When Type 2 diabetes develops earlier in life, it has many more years to cause damage and can lead to premature complications and death, the researchers said.”
It has been said here before, but needs to be repeated. The parents play a key role in this health issue. Many children are too young to understand the long-term effects of overeating and lack of exercise. It is important for the parents to make time to teach their children about living a healthy lifestyle as well as making the effort to ‘play’ with them.
July 26th, 2006
by Len Saunders
Greetings everyone. I hope you have been enjoying this blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Just wanted to let everyone know I will be launching a new fitness event in September 2006. I plan on announcing it here first, so check back frequently if you want to be one of the first to hear about it. This site started in February 2006, and has a couple hundred visitors a day. This made me feel pretty good about this blog. I hope you all enjoy the new look to it, which was updated on July 24th. Please remember to post your comments here and on the health/fitness articles pages, and remember to check back here to find out about my new program. Thanks to everyone for their support.
Len
July 25th, 2006
by Len Saunders
A news report out from the BCC ( link ) is now stating that children should get at least 90 minutes of physical activity a day. “The current UK guidelines recommend an hour of exercise – but a recent study found only one in 10 children of school age achieve that limit.” The article went on to say that if nothing were done, half the children in the UK would be obese by 2020.
Wow, 90 minutes a day is wishful thinking. In a fitness ‘utopia’ possibly, but with the busy lifestyles of parents, and cut backs in physical education, 90 minutes seems unlikely…..unfortunately. In a day and age where children are suffering from risk factors for heart disease, and rises in Type 2 diabetes, 90 minutes a day would combat these health issues.
Snip…..Among children, the rates of obesity have tripled during the last 20 years. One in 10 six-year-olds is obese…… getting enough exercise is important not only to tackle the problem of childhood obesity, but also to prevent future generations dying prematurely from illnesses associated with sedentary lifestyles…..Snip
There may be a lot to learn from the UK. They definitely understand the importance of physical education in a society with a generation of unhealthy children. Children in the United States ages 5-11 may only get PE once a week for 30-40 minutes. The UK is thinking about changing that. “The government also wants all school pupils to receive two hours of PE and sport a day by 2010.” This is just one piece of the puzzle, but an important one. PE is very important to the school process of developing healthy and intelligent children.
July 21st, 2006
by Len Saunders
Many years ago, you would not read many news articles concerned about the rise in diabetes pertaining to children. Yet in the year 2006, it seems to be a ‘growing’ problem. An article in the Centre Daily Times ( link ) describes diabetes as, “The condition, in which the body starts to lose its ability to convert blood glucose into energy.” The article continued by stating it “used to be seen in adults who commonly had risk factors of genetic predisposition, obesity and inactivity.” This has certainly changed since more and more children are being diagnosed with the disease.
“According to a report in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, about 39,000 youths age 12 to 19 are estimated to have Type 2 diabetes. Experts attribute the phenomenon to a dramatic rise in childhood obesity levels in recent years.” These numbers are staggering. Proper nutrition and exercise is still the key to a healthy child. Parental involvement and guidance is essential to defeating the disease. “In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas loses the ability to manufacture the insulin needed to convert blood sugar into energy. Those who have Type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin to live. While the effects of Type 2 diabetes are not as immediate, early treatment is critical for both children and adults, experts say. Untreated, people with Type 2 diabetes have a much higher risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, vision loss and stroke.”
Type 2 diabetes is often related to healthy lifestyle. Children with diabetes need to make changes in diet and exercise regimen.
July 14th, 2006
by Len Saunders