New programs help kids combat obesity and diabetes
Updated: 3/27/2006 5:25:00 AM
By: Tracey Early & Web Staff
Doctors say children today need more exercise...
(CHARLOTTE) – The YMCA created the “Fit Kid” program to provide exercise for kids who need it and parents who want it.
"If we're proactive, especially starting at a young age, we can teach them healthy lifestyles," said parent Holly Williams.
"Through our medical referral program, we decided to develop this program specifically for kids," said Dan Brown, YMCA’s fitness coordinator.
Pediatricians in Charlotte are recommending some children who have type 2 diabetes or have onset diabetes participate in this program. They want them to get the ball rolling and get fit!
"We have seen a significant increase in type 2 diabetes incidents," explained Dr. Mark Vanderwel, pediatric endocrinologist.
Endocrinologists said with the children that have diabetes these days, 50 percent of them now have type 2 diabetes. Twenty years ago, it was quite rare for a doctor to see children with that type of diabetes.
"The majority of it is related to our lifestyle,” said Dr. Thea Pfeifer, pediatric endocrinologist. “Our genes haven't changed in 15 to 20 years, but our lifestyles have dramatically."
Doctors blame the rise in juvenile type 2 diabetes with the rise in obesity. Specifically, doctors blame fast food and a sedentary lifestyle complete with television and video games. Doctors said obesity can be modified.
"The No. 1 thing we've got to get you to do is get active because in order to lose weight you have to burn off more calories than you take in,” continued Vanderwel.
If you are concerned your child may develop type 2 diabetes, here are some factors that contribute to the disease:
• Obesity
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Ethnicity – African-Americans and Hispanic children have an increased chance of developing type 2 diabetes compared to other groups.
• Family history – at least 85 percent of children with the disease have affected family members.
• Puberty – the peak age of diabetes onset is during puberty.
...to combat things like fast food and television.
You can also tell if your child is developing type 2 diabetes by noticing a change in color of the skin. It's called acanthosis and can be found on the back of the neck, armpit, belly or inner thighs.
"When your body is overproducing insulin, it thickens the skin," said Vanderwel.
Not all children with type 2 diabetes are overweight, but doctors said the No. 1 way to reduce the risk of developing the disease is exercise. You can reduce the risk by up to 48 percent.
Programs like “Kid Fit” are exactly what the doctors ordered. For parents, they said they’re seeing results.
"They love it,” Williams said. “They ask me everyday, ‘Mom, is today the day? Do we get to go to “Kid Fit?'” They love it."
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