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Diabetes Among YouthDiabetes in childhood is mainly type 1, an autoimmune disorder that destroys insulin-producing cells, requiring multiple daily insulin injections or a pump. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 400-500 (10,000) Texas children have type 1 diabetes. However, type 2 diabetes is emerging as a higher proportion of pediatric diabetes, representing almost 50 percent of new diabetes cases diagnosed by endocrinologists. At least 13,000 children have type 2 diabetes, and the number of youth with type 2 diabetes is likely to triple by 2025 – a huge change for any condition – unless primary prevention is strengthened. While some risk factors for type 2 diabetes cannot be controlled, others can. Type 2 diabetes appears to have a genetic basis, which is beyond an individual’s control. But it also is related to obesity and sedentary lifestyle, which, with few exceptions, can be controlled through diet and physical activity. Studies show that, regardless of ethnicity, more than 20 percent of severely overweight children and adolescents have Impaired Glucose Tolerance, or pre-diabetes. Lifestyle is key to being fit and preventing obesity, and, for many, lifestyle habit changes are urgently needed. The family is primary, but school and community must be included in instituting and supporting positive dietary and physical activity changes. Children are influenced by and limited by their environment. Maintaining a diet balanced in fat calories and nutrients, increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity to at least 30 minutes a day, and limiting sedentary activities are essential lifestyle changes that need reinforcement.
The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education has developed a Resource Guide for Predictive Factors and Methods of Assessing Physical Activity and Adiposity in Children. (PDF, 275 kb, viewing information) The purpose of this report is three-fold:
During the 77th Texas Legislature, the Texas Diabetes Council was instrumental in the passage of a landmark bill that created the Pediatric Diabetes Research Advisory Committee (Senate Bill 1456/House Bill 3155). The charges to the Committee were to:
Senate Bill 19
Pediatric Diabetes Research in Texas - Type 2 Diabetes and Children . . .
Pediatric overweight is increasingly common. In response to inquiries, the Texas Department of State Health Services offers this resource information for primary care clinicians. Click here to view (PDF, 52 kb)
Senate Bill 19 (SB 19), enacted in 2001 by the 77th Texas Legislature and amended by the 78th Texas Legislature, requires each school district, by September 1, 2007, to participate in training for the implementation of an approved coordinated school health program designed to prevent obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes in elementary school students. View Resources for Coordinated School Health Programs (Link to Texas Education Agency)
Last Updated March 26, 2007 |
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