Article Last Updated: 9/26/2006 07:09 PM
Diabetes and obesity in kids
By Jarold Lee, CBS 11 News Reporter
KTVA
It's a form of diabetes only grown-ups used to get, now one-in-three American children is developing it. According to a new study, experts are referring to this growing epidemic as "diabesity," the combination of type-2 diabetes and obesity.
Here's the scoop: over 15 percent of kids between six and 19-years-old are obese in the United States and obesity is what's causing our kids to become diabetic. Children as young as four-years-old are getting the disease. The American Diabetes Association says it's approaching "epidemic proportions" in teenagers.
According to the Mayor's Obesity Task Force, 32 percent of students entering Anchorage kindergarten or first grade and 36 percent of all Anchorage students are overweight or at risk for becoming overweight.
If you don't think it's a problem, consider this: one in three kids born since the year 2000, is expected to develop type-2 diabetes, which can eventually lead to heart attacks, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage, limb amputation and blindness.
“It's a large problem for our children today, because we do know that starting out overweight as a child, is a predictor of them being overweight as an adult. And what we find is the increase health risks that come with that, and diabetes just being one of those," said Health and Human Services Director, Beverly Wooley.
So how can you tell if your kid is at risk? Look for common signs of type-2 diabetes. If they have one or more, you need to get them to a doctor. Here are some of the signs: frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unexplained weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurred vision.
You can also start making changes at home today to help prevent your kids from getting type-2 diabetes. Here's what the experts suggest:
Limit television to one to two hours per day--maximum. As to your kid's diet and what to keep in the fridge: you want to give carbohydrates the boot. This means bagels, frozen waffles and other refined or highly processed foods--they spike blood sugar levels.
Also, kick the colas by keeping the fridge stocked with water and sugar-free drinks.
Finally, aim for two to three servings of milk, yogurt and low fat cheese every day. This will lower your kid's risk of developing insulin resistance.
Another way to help keep your kid from getting type-2 diabetes is to exercise as a family. That way, you'll be setting a great example.
If you'd like to go further with this, you can read more about it on the Mayor's Taskforce on Obesity and Health Web site.
Childhood Obesity and Diabetes 
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