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Highs And Lows
An Inside Look at Teens and Diabetes
By Laura Cone
Although there is no known cure for Type I diabetes, 90 percent of the cases of Type II diabetes are preventable through the maintenance of a healthy body weight, physical activity and a healthy diet, according to Dr. Kulze. Being overweight increases a teenager's risk of Type II diabetes seven-fold. Moreover, Dr. Kulze says, being obese increases a teenager's risk of Type II diabetes 20- to 40-fold.
"My opinion as a nutrition and wellness expert, I think the most powerful intervention for helping a teen reach a healthy body weight would be promoting exercise, regular physical activity," Dr.Kulze says. She suggests teenagers log two hours of physical movement a day. "That does not have to be two hours of playing soccer across 24 hours, but, cumulatively, their bodies need to be moving for two hours. And we have studies that tell us 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, such as walking five days a week, will decrease the risk of diabetes 30 percent."
Dr. Kulze also advises parents of teenagers to limit the amount of time children watch television, play video games and use the computer. Also, restrict liquid calories such as soda and sports beverages. "Not only do these beverages increase the risk of obesity, but increase the risk of Type II diabetes," she says.
Another tip is to encourage teenagers to eat fruits and vegetables along with whole grains and lean proteins. "Limit fast food," Dr. Kulze says. "Why? It's got so many calories. It's calorically dense and also filled with the types of foods we are finding increase your risk of diabetes such as the sodas, the French fries, the white flour bun. There is also interesting evidence fast food actually increases appetite. One study showed childre who consumed fast food eat more after that fast food meal. They eat more the rest of the day and end up consuming 187 calories more than a child who did not have fast food that day. That can translate over time to major weight gain."