How to avoid childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes?

Introduction:

In today’s world, Childhood Obesity and Juvenile Diabetes are ever increasing and if reports are to be believed, increased all over the world multiple times since 1970. Obesity in childhood is the condition where excess body fat will affect the child's health negatively. This results in severe health problems and Juvenile Diabetes may be one of them.

Childhood Obesity makes children prone to adult medical problems like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol that can affect their present and future health. Also, there is a direct relationship between diabetes and obesity, in most of the cases. 

What is Juvenile Diabetes? 

Juvenile Diabetes, also known as Type I Diabetes, is a medical condition where the production of insulin is reduced in the body. It is an insulin dependent diabetes. The pancreas produces zero insulin or very less insulin, which leads to this type of diabetes. This results in the rise of sugar levels in the body leading to diabetes. This type of diabetes is most commonly seen in adolescence i.e, the majority of the people with this type of diabetes are children. Although, this condition is seen in adults too. Genetic conditions also play a major role in this.  

Why does it occur?

Type 1 diabetes happens when the beta cells in the Pancreas are destroyed by your own immune system and there will be no insulin production in the body. In most of the cases, artificial insulin is administered through injections to balance the loss.  

What are the symptoms?

•    Increase in thirst

•    Excessive sweating

•    Excess urination

•    Frequent hunger

•    Vomiting sensation

•    Headache

•    Drowsiness

•    Increased Heart Rate

•    Problem with vision/sight

•    Rapid weight loss

What are the effects? 

As mentioned, because of low insulin or no insulin, the movement of glucose into the cells is cut down. This results in the rise of blood sugar levels. This rise has the following effects, 

Dehydration: 

It is a state where our body dries out because of lack of water. As the blood sugar levels are high, one tends to urinate more, and more water is flushed out of the body which results in dehydration. 

Weight Loss:

Loss of weight may occur in a few cases. As the sugar levels rise in the blood, losing weight is common.

Overall Damage of Organs:

The high glucose levels which are retained in your blood for longer times can harm the nerves and small blood vessels in your eyes, kidneys, and heart. The blood vessels are hardened which may lead malfunctioning of kidneys, eyes and many other body parts, and the risk of heart strokes is increased multifold.

Are Obesity and Diabetes linked? 

• Obesity and Diabetes are linked most time but, not always. It is more likely that an obese person develops diabetes easily than a normal or healthy person. Although, Type 1 Diabetes and Obesity are not majorly linked. There may or may not be a direct relation between these two. 
• This is commonly seen in Type 2 Diabetes, which, is nothing but a type of diabetes where a person has less than the required insulin levels. The pancreas produces insulin which is not sufficient for the body. 
• Obesity and Diabetes are both hereditary too but this constitutes only for a small percentage. 

How to avoid Childhood Obesity: 

It is important that one needs to stay healthy and as everybody knows that obesity leads to many abnormal health conditions. If obesity is occurring at a very young age, it is important that we try to control it and stay healthy. One can avoid childhood obesity by taking simple measures:

• As the child cannot understand this problem at that age, it is important for the parents to understand the child’s obese state and take care of it. They are the ones who should play a major role in their child’s weight loss.
• Feeding them homemade food, fruits, and vegetables, and avoiding junk and sugary foods is the first step towards their weight loss.
• There need to be goals set for the weight loss. The weight loss should be gradual and not sudden. The weight loss should not demotivate or depress the child. 
• Helping the child maintain a proper and balanced diet will aid in weight loss.
• Children should not be allowed to become couch potatoes in front of the TV. They should be encouraged to go out and play.
• Engaging in physical activities will help in reducing obesity or rather taking up a sport will make weight loss more interesting. A moderate activity of 45 mins/day will be useful.
• It is important for the parents to make the child understand the importance of being healthy. Help them develop it as a habit such that they become more independent in this routine. This should be done in an innovation and interesting way to make the child understand better. 
• Parents should also spend quality time with their children in their transformation stage. 

How to avoid Juvenile Diabetes:

Currently, there is no way that one can prevent Juvenile or Type 1 diabetes, but you can postpone it by taking certain measures to keep your obesity and blood glucose levels in control. Those who have genetic tendency to get this diabetes can use the following measures:

• Exercise plays an important part in controlling the sugar levels. Integrating regular exercise and physical activity into one’s lifestyle from childhood improves their condition and helps them fight Juvenile Diabetes. 
• Maintaining proper diet and eating habits from childhood. They have to reduce the intake of carbohydrates in the food and take foods rich in fiber and protein.
• The state of mind should also be maintained well. Feeling depressed about the condition will make it even worse. Instead, cheer up and think of ways to control it. Diabetes is always related to the stress of mind.
• Having a vast knowledge about the entire system of the body, how it reacts to our eating habits and exercise will help in postponing the evil. 
• Regular check ups and maintenance is a must for this type of diabetes. Doing so helps us understand our progress.

Conclusion: On the whole, Obesity is a very unhealthy state of the body. Irrespective of the age, obesity should be taken care of as early as possible. The way we lead our life has a major role in being overweight or ideal weight. Our daily food habits, lifestyle changes, day to day activities, number of sleeping hours etc, have the major impact on our body weight.

This also applies to preventing or postponing type 1 diabetes. Although due to some medical conditions, children might become obese, or diabetic it is important for parents to check their child’s lifestyle and make necessary changes to help them.