We Can Take Steps to Prevent Diabetes in Children  

By Brody Dixon, Community Outreach Coordinator for Caswell County Partnership for Children

Raising awareness about childhood obesity continues to be a major concern of the Caswell County Partnership for Children.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of overweight two to four year olds in North Carolina has almost doubled in the last ten years. Being overweight or obese increases a child’s risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.  Families can help prevent type 2 diabetes by living healthier lifestyles and monitoring their child’s weight.

Diabetes is a condition in which the body has problems maintaining healthy blood sugar (blood glucose) levels.  There is no cure for diabetes, but the disease can be managed.  There are two types of diabetes.  Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as “juvenile onset diabetes” can occur at any age, even as an infant.  In type 1, the body does not produce insulin.   Common warning signs include extreme thirst, frequent urination, feeling tired, blurred vision, or dramatic change in weight. If your child has any of these symptoms contact your family doctor for a simple blood test. Type 2 diabetes, once called “adult onset diabetes”, is now affecting children at younger ages than ever before. Type 2 diabetes is managed by losing weight, eating healthy foods, and exercising more.  If not properly controlled, high blood glucose levels can cause problems later in life such as blindness, kidney and heart disease, or amputations.

A team of healthcare professionals can help manage a child’s diabetes.  Checking blood sugar levels and informing others that your child has diabetes is very important.  Family members, childcare teachers, or neighbors can identify when blood sugar gets too low.  Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause a child to have a seizure, lose consciousness, and requires immediate medical attention.

Diabetes doesn’t need to control your child’s life.  Teaming up with a diabetes educator can help you take charge and be in control of your diabetes. The Caswell County Health Department Diabetes Education Program provides information and support through community events, workshops, and monthly classes.  Stephanie Lung, the Diabetes Educator, teaches classes every 1^st Tuesday of each month. Classes are free and cover topics like basic nutrition, carbohydrate counting, and managing weight through exercise.  For more information or to register for a class, call (336) 694-4129 ext# 110.

Community members, health care professionals, and families all must do their part to prevent type 2 diabetes.  A child is at increased risk if they are overweight, has a mom, dad or close relative with type 2 diabetes, or are African American, Hispanic, Asian American, or Pacific Islander.  Help your child stay at a healthy weight, be more physically active, and eat the right amounts of healthy foods. Children should exercise by playing hard for at least 60 minutes each day.  Parents can help their children by turning the TV off and being active as a family.  Children should drink more water and eat more fruits and vegetables.

Many prevention programs are available in Caswell County to teach families   how to live healthier lives by eating better and moving more.  “Getting Fit with WIC” offers free classes for families with children ages two to five years old. Contact the WIC department at the Prospect Hill Community Health Center at (336) 562-3311 for more information.  Funding for this program has been provided by Smart Start through the Caswell County Partnership for Children and Piedmont Health Services (PHS).