Maybe your child's behaviour is putting him or her at risk for diabetes. What to look out for.
Sedentary behaviour, that comes from longer screen time and decreased outdoor play, leads to obesity and eventually makes a child at risk for Type 2 diabetes. Kids need a minimum of 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity daily, states the American Diabetes Association.
High sugar intake leads to a rapid rise in blood glucose and insulin resistance over time. Sugary drinks, sodas, fruit juices are particularly harmful. Children who drink more than one sugary drink a day have a 26 per cent stronger risk of type 2 diabetes, says Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health.
Skipping meals and overeating high-calorie, low-nutrient food items disrupts metabolism and blood sugar control. Children should have regular meals and no unhealthy snacking events in between, says WebMD.
Irregular and poor-quality sleep patterns leads to hormonal imbalances, higher insulin resistance and increased cravings for unhealthy foods. Children who sleep less than 9 hours every night have high fasting glucose levels ane are more prone to diabetes, reports Healthline.
Chronic stress leads to increased cortisol levels, which may interlink with poor insulin regulation and cause unhealthy eating habits, according to Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health. It is important to take the stress away.
Processed foods contain refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives, which leads to obesity and insulin resistance. Youngsters whose intake of these kinds of food is more than 3 times a per week have a 70 per cent higher risk of metabolic disorders include type 2 diabetes, reports Medical News Today.
Parents who are unaware of healthy dietary and lifestyle habits may unknowingly promote habits that harm their childen. Parents need to educate themselves on diet, physical exercise, dangers of type 2 diabetes, warns the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.