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Childhood Diabetes
Until recently diabetes in childhood was limited to Type I or Juvenile Diabetes, which was caused by an immune attack on the insulin making cells in the body preventing them from producing the hormone that converts sugar in the body to energy.
Type II Diabetes; also known as adult onset diabetes has now been reported in children as young as six years of age. In type II diabetes, the body can still produce insulin, just not enough to meet the demands of the body. Typically thought to be lifestyle based, the majority of children with type II diabetes are overweight.
As in adults the causes of childhood overweight or obesity problems are many and complicated - every child is an individual case. Overall, however, the increases in childhood obesity have been caused by the same reasons as in the adult population; poor nutrition and physical inactivity.
Poor nutrition by way of energy dense processed food, and inactivity relating to passive, as opposed to active, leisure time activities are a growing problem in today's society, especially in children.
Recent physical activity recommendations for healthy growth and development of children ask for one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. To help achieve this it is recommended that the passive leisure activities such as computer and TV use be restricted to a maximum of two hours per day.
Restricting passive leisure time activity such as TV use also has been shown to help reduce unwanted caloric intake, as TV watching is often combined with the consumption of high energy snack foods at a time when they are least needed.
Developing lifelong skills in active leisure pursuits should be a prime goal for younger children as enjoyment and regular activity comes with the development of basic movement skills associated with participation.
Article by Professor Kerry Mummery
Central Queensland University
