Elevate Your Health Colorado: Your Health Information Resource

In the past, type 2 diabetes was frequently referred to as “adult-onset,” because people who got this condition were almost always adults. In the last couple of decades, an alarming number of children and teens have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The reason, health professionals say, is the prevalence of childhood obesity.

“When I was in medical school, we seldom saw children with type 2 diabetes,” says Sandra Stenmark, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and director of pediatric wellness at Kaiser Permanente Colorado. “But we also didn’t have such high levels of childhood obesity.”

Between 1980 and 2006, the number of overweight children between ages 6 and 19 tripled, reaching about 9 million, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although the reasons are many and varied, most of them pertain to changes in children’s diet and level of physical activity. Because childhood obesity is so common, the CDC has projected that 1 in 3 children born after 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes.

Obesity – a health concern
Childhood obesity is a sensitive subject that affects children’s lives in many ways – physically, emotionally, and socially. It can also be a touchy subject for parents. So, how do health professionals approach this concern?

“Instead of harping on parents and children, we encourage all families to develop healthy habits, by serving nutritious foods and being physically active,” Dr. Stenmark says.

To reverse the obesity and diabetes trend, the pediatric weight management team at Kaiser Permanente Colorado is committed to teaching families how to incorporate healthy habits into their daily lifestyle. Their advice is fairly simple.

To eat more nutritiously:

• Eat primarily fruits, vegetables, whole grains, non-fat dairy, and lean protein.
• Fill plates half full with deeply colored fruits and vegetables. High-fiber foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals help people stay full longer.
• Avoid super-sized portions.
• Plan healthy meals, shop for groceries, and eat meals together as a family on a regular basis. Having nutritious foods on hand makes it easier to avoid unhealthy snacks and trips to fast-food restaurants.

To drink healthier:

• Serve non-fat milk with meals and water between meals.
• Avoid drinks that are high in sugar, such as soda, sports drinks, fruit drinks, and juices. For variety, try adding fruit slices to carbonated water.

To become more active:

• Reduce “screen time,” those sedentary hours spent watching TV, playing video games, and working on the computer.
• Encourage children to play hard, preferably outdoors, for at least an hour a day.
• Find some favorite sports or activities to enjoy together as a family. This not only improves health but also strengthens relationships.
• Walk or bike, instead of driving – it is better for your health and the planet’s health.

“By incorporating 150 minutes a week of moderate to vigorous physical activity, adults can decrease their risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, while improving quality of life. For children, a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity every day is recommended,” Dr. Stenmark says. “It not only helps prevent chronic diseases and some cancers, but also helps build strong bones, improve moods, and quality of sleep. Academic achievement, focus, and memory also improve as children become more fit.”

Members of Kaiser Permanente’s Community Benefit Team are working with local leaders to support healthy lifestyles in communities. This includes increasing access to parks and recreational opportunities, and promoting safe and accessible bicycling and walking routes, including safe routes for children to get to school. In areas with limited assess to fruits and vegetables, they are increasing choices through community gardens and making sure there are stores that offer healthy foods.

“Our goal is to make the healthy choice the easy choice,” Dr. Stenmark says. “We want our members and our community to thrive.”

To learn more about diabetes and kids, visit KaiserPermanente.org.

Dr. Stenmark received her medical degree from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and performed her residency there in pediatrics. She is the physician lead of community health initiatives and pediatric wellness at Kaiser Permanente Colorado.