2023-04-28 18:00:37
Lifestyle has been completely transformed in recent years. A sedentary lifestyle is becoming more frequent, in addition to the fact that diet has gone from bad to worse. As a result of the foregoing, what happened very rarely before has increased: the childhood prediabetes. But what is it really and how can it be prevented?
When we talk about diabetes or any other chronic condition, it is not common to associate it with young people or children. It is thought that a disease of this type is more related to adults; however, currently derived from the increase in childhood obesity in the country, there has also been a considerable increase in prediabetes in this sector of the population.
And it is that, according to a study, in Mexico the number of children with prediabetes is three times higher compared to other countries and it is estimated that by 2025 more than half a million children will have this state of health classified as Altered Fasting Glucose. It is a condition that is increasing and can be prevented.
But to all this, what is prediabetes?
It is the state of health that a person presents when they have glucose levels (sugar in the blood) above normal, that is, from 100 to 125 mg/dl (milligrams of sugar per deciliter of blood), but below what is considered type 2 diabetes. These values can be known by doing a glucose test with a small blood sample that is obtained from the finger and placed on a test strip.
What causes childhood prediabetes?
More than talking about multiple causes, the main reasons why there are more and more cases of childhood prediabetes are due to the following: High-calorie foods: children eat foods with more carbohydrates such as juices, fried foods, soft drinks, cakes and sweets, than animal proteins from chicken, fish and meat, in addition to low consumption of fiber and vitamins obtained from fruits and vegetables.
- Not exercising: They are a sedentary population that does not perform physical activity since they spend their free time in front of a screen. It is recommended to do 30 minutes of daily physical activity, be it soccer, running, swimming, riding a bike, or just going for a walk.
- Overweight and obesity: by not having a balanced diet or practicing any sport, the levels of abdominal or visceral fat increase. Obesity is the condition most associated with prediabetes. It is important to control your weight and make lifestyle changes, which will decrease the risk of developing complications. Fun fact: Boys are more prone to prediabetes than girls.
The consequences of childhood prediabetes
Boys and girls with prediabetes often have high levels of cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and triglycerides. These diseases go hand in hand with each other. After reaching a state of prediabetes there are two paths: develop diabetes or improve eating habits and lead a better lifestyle to reverse high blood glucose levels.
But what can we do, are we in time to prevent?
Children can have high blood sugar and triglycerides, as well as cholesterol above medically indicated levels, they are not conditions only for adults. For this reason it is important to exercise and take care of the diet so as not to reach a delicate state of health at an early age.
It is advisable to keep monitored the height, weight and circumference of the waist, as well as the Body Mass Index (BMI) of the smallest at home and any anomaly associated with being overweight, pay special attention and treat it so that it does not become obesity and from there trigger more diseases such as prediabetes and childhood diabetes. The most important thing is to see a specialist to monitor the health status of the girls and boys.
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