In this article, we look at what type 2 diabetes is and describe its symptoms, causes, and risk factors in children.
We also explore how a doctor diagnoses and treats the condition, ways to help prevent it and the complications that it can cause.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of blood sugar, or glucose.
The pancreas produces a hormone called insulin that helps to control the amount of sugar in the blood.
In a person with type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin, or it does not respond to the hormone appropriately, and this is called insulin resistance.
In the past, the medical community called type 2 diabetes either adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes. However, the condition is affecting an increasing number of children and adolescents, as rates of obesity continue to rise.
According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, doctors in the United States diagnosed around 5,300 children and adolescents aged 10–19 years with type 2 diabetes between 2011 and 2012.
Type 2 diabetes is a long-term illness that can lead to serious complications if a person does not receive treatment. At the moment, there is no cure.
Symptoms
Type 2 diabetes often has a slow, gradual onset. Because of this, it can be difficult to detect in children.
General signs and symptoms of both types of diabetes are similar. Children and adults may experience:
- Increased urination. When there is an excess of sugar in the blood, the kidneys have to work harder to absorb and filter it. This can result in increased urination.
- Increased thirst. Increased urination can cause dehydration. A person may feel especially thirsty and need to drink more than usual.
- Fatigue. When the body is less able to use blood sugar properly, this can cause fatigue, as can many issues that may be common in people with diabetes, such as dehydration.
- Blurred vision. High blood sugar levels can draw fluid from the lenses of the eyes, making it more difficult to focus.
- Darkened skin. Insulin resistance can cause certain areas of skin to darken. The medical term for this is acanthosis nigricans, and it often affects the armpits and the back of the neck.
- Wounds healing slowly. High blood sugar levels can lead to longer healing times for sores and skin infections.
Anyone can develop type 2 diabetes, including children. The condition is more likely to develop in adults and children who are overweight or obese.
Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes by causing insulin resistance. This occurs when organs and tissues do not respond appropriately to insulin and do not absorb enough sugar from the blood.
Insulin resistance results in high blood sugar levels, a lower tolerance for glucose, more inflammation, and an overproduction of glucose in the liver.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity affected 13.7 million children and adolescents aged 2–19 years between 2015 and 2016 in the U.S.
Authors of a study from 2017 found that children and adults below the age of 25 who fell into the body mass index ranges for obesity were four times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those in the normal ranges.
Other risk factors for type 2 diabetes in children include:
- having a parent or sibling with the condition, because it has a genetic component
- being of Asian, Pacific Islander, African, Native American, or Latino descent
- having signs of insulin resistance, such as acanthosis nigricans
Prevention of type 2 diabetes largely involves developing healthful lifestyle habits, such as:
Maintaining a healthy weight
Ensuring that weight stays at a healthful level can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. A doctor or dietician can advise about healthy weight ranges for children and recommend programs for losing weight, if necessary.
Eating a well-balanced diet
A child’s diet should contain limited amounts of added sugars and simple carbohydrates. Breads and pastries made with white flour may be problematic, and the diet should instead include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. This will lower the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Exercising
Exercise is essential in maintaining a healthy weight and overall health. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that children aged 5—17 years get at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity every day. Encourage kids to play outside and engage in sports, and limit time spent in front of a screen. This may mean cutting back on video games, television, and similar devices.
Complications
Children with type 2 diabetes are at risk for potentially serious complications, including heart disease and stroke.
Other complications and associated conditions can include:
- high blood pressure
- high blood cholesterol levels
- eye damage, which the medical community calls diabetic retinopathy
- nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy
- kidney damage or failure, or diabetic nephropathy
Outlook
Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in children, as rates of childhood obesity continue to climb.
The condition can be difficult to detect and diagnose in children, and doctors are not yet sure of the long-term effects of having it at a young age.
Focusing on healthful lifestyle habits involving, for example, a well-balanced diet and plenty of physical activity, can help prevent and treat type 2 diabetes in children.
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