Childhood obesity and, subsequently, diabetes is on the rise in records that pediatricians never expected to see. On Jan. 30 Parents Magazine announced that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued its first ever set of guidelines for childhood diabetes.
It has been found that more children are being diagnosed with type two diabetes which is based off of a child's weight and their ability to break down sugars. Until recently, diabetes has been considered an adult disease and any pediatricians were never trained to deal with type two diabetes because it wasn't a problem.
Now the AAP have created a set of guidelines for determining which type of diabetes a child has. These guidelines are the first ever for children between the ages of 10-18 and are a collaboration between the American Diabetes Association, the Pediatric Endocrine Society, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Because type two diabetes doesn't necessarily need to be treated with medication, distinguishing which type of diabetes a child has is first, and foremost, the most important issue. Then pediatricians will recommend an exercise regimen appropriate for the age of the child, and possibly medication as well until the diabetes is under control.
Are you surprised that the AAP has had to set forth a guideline for determining diabetes?
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