Education Children with type 2 diabetes and their significant others should participate in a diabetes self-management education. Standards to look for are pediatric centers with Certified Diabetes Educators on staff and whose programs have met the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education as identified by the American Diabetes Association. It is essential that meal plans be developed by a dietitian with experience in the pediatric population. The dietitian needs to stress the importance of healthy eating patterns for the entire family while taking into account financial and other family resources, lifestyles, and cultural preferences. Physical Activity Changing sedimentary lifestyles is essential to weight loss and control of type 2 diabetes in children.
Exercise speeds up calorie expenditure promoting weight loss.
It also increases insulin sensitivity at the cellular level. A pediatric exercise counselor should work with the child and family to develop an appropriate program. Currently, there are five classes of oral medications approved by the FDA for treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is important to note that few safety and effectiveness studies have been conducted in the pediatric population. None of these drugs have FDA approval for use in children.