Monica Chan
Current Event #3
Health
Obesity-Linked Diabetes in Children Resists Treatment by Denise Grady
1 page
4/17/12
Obesity is a disease that is affecting more and more Americans each year. However, rates are increasing more rapidly in children than adults. Researchers have discovered that along with obesity is linked a form of Type 2 diabetes. Before the 1990s, this form of disease rarely occurred in young Americans. Now, the disease has become so common that it is getting harder to treat, specifically in children. The reason why the disease is so hard to control in teenagers and children is still unknown but researchers say that hormones and puberty may play a part. Studies showed that within a few years, the oral medication for Typed 2 diabetes stopped working in half the subjects for children. After these pills stopped responding, daily shots if insulin had to be injected in order to control the blood sugar level. This baffled researchers even more since oral medication worked better for adults. Doctors say that the easiest way to solve this problem is through diet and exercise, but we all know that is easier said than done.
The fact that such young children have to battle a disease that has thought to be for older people is such a shock. It's so sad that the amount of Type 2 diabetes in children is starting to compete with the amount in their parents just proves unhealthy this country is. If we don't teach our kids how to eat properly and exercise on a daily basis, who knows what the percentages may be in 10 years. I believe that you need to enjoy your childhood as much as you can, and these kids can't without having to worry about their diabetes.
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