Daily HealthBeat Tip - June 06, 2008

Teens’ troubles with diabetes

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

A study finds the troubles associated with being a teenager affect the way teens approach the problems that come with type 2 diabetes.

More than 100 12- to 21-year-olds surveyed said they had more trouble making lifestyle choices than handling medical aspects, such as taking insulin.

Russell Rothman of Vanderbilt says 37 percent said the hardest part of taking care of their diabetes was eating and exercising as they should. Thirty-one percent said it was taking their medications.

Rothman says the teens might listen:

`With adolescents, you really need to try to convince them about some of the short-term benefits – that if they exercise now, it’s going to help them have more energy, look better, feel better.’’ (11 seconds)

The study in the journal Pediatrics was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: June, 05 2008