Until recent years, the disease seldom occurred in children. This year the center will see some 1,000 patients, but the type two census has increased to 84, almost five times that of six years ago. Unhealthy diets and lack of exercise are the main contributing factors to the increase, according to Barbara Schreiner, associate director of the center.
Kids are sedentary and eat too many fast foods.
Also, many schools don't have physical education programs, or they have cut activity time. Most of the children the center sees are between 10 and 16 years old, although some are as young as 8. In both children and adults, type two diabetes is more common in ethnic groups, including African-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans. If the disease is detected in its early stages, it often can be managed with diet and exercise, Schreiner says. If this approach does not work, medication may be necessary.