Warning on World Diabetes Day

[Rob43]

Soaring childhood obesity rates will increase diabetes rates affecting economic development across the globe, international agencies are warning.

The caution from the WHO and the International Diabetes Federation comes on World Diabetes Day.

They say with an estimated 10 per cent of school-aged children overweight or obese the situation is getting worse.

More than 22 million children under five years old are obese or overweight, not only from affluent countries.

Over 17 million of them are in the developing world.

Each one of these children is at a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

This used to be known as adult onset diabetes as it would be diagnosed late in life, but because of poor diet and little physical activity the disease is now being seen more often in teenagers.

There are also other risks associated with being overweight - heart disease, stroke, cancer and there's some data to suggest that conditions like Alzheimer's might also be linked.

But the obesity epidemic can be reversed.

Just small changes can make real difference - banning fizzy drinks in schools, increasing sport classes and teaching basic nutrition from an early age can prevent weight gain, therefore reducing the chances of diabetes developing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4010469.stm

[Eri's mom]

I had read about that too...they actually started taking a lot of soda out of the machines at the kids' schools and are adding water and more juices...and taking out junk like candy bars and adding healthier snacks.

They are also starting to implement more active time in classes at my kids' school...like jump roping...I was pretty impressed with that.

Luckily, none of my kids are obese or overweight. (heck, they aren't even at the "normal" heights either...shorter...lol)

[Harold]

We had a conversation on another thread about TV commercials and their influence on snacking. Junk Food Adverts 'Banished During Children's Tv' (http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3756246)

[mg_2204]

... secondary schools don't offer healthy foods, full stop. At our school, it costs more to buy a fruit salad than to buy a piece of cake.

In year 9, they choose their options. If you don't choose PE as an option, you will only get 1 PE lesson per week... instead of 3.

Wonderful...

[buzzborne]

In year 9, they choose their options. If you don't choose PE as an option, you will only get 1 PE lesson per week... instead of 3.

Wonderful...

thts the same with the school we just left... in yr 11-13 you can choose your games.... and if you not in teams then it is only one or 2 games sessions (40mins) per wk.. but the head master is now wanted to make it even LESS... its stupid, even if you love soprts like me you only had 3 sessions a wk its not enough if you ask me!

[soremom]

With President Bush's "No Child Left Behind" campaignm, teachers are pressured to teach our children more and earlier in development. These leaves very little time for subjects like gym class and the arts. Children need these not just for health but a health mind. Art classes help children use their imaginations or learn to love music in a different way.

Teachers also send some much homework home, children don't have a chance to go outside and play. It is wonderful the government wants the children to learn to their full potential, but not every child is the same and learn at different rates. One thing they all need is physical activity. My son got it in grade school but very little in middle school.

And none of his friends want to go out and play. Watch tv or play video games and stupid card games (Yugiho, don't know how to spell). We tell them to go out and play and his friends will leave and go home or to someone else house so they can do this type of play. It makes it hard to get him motivated to go out and play.

Sorry so long and a rant, but our youth are suffering and it seems most people don't want to help or see a problem happening (someone out of the medical field).

Kim

[mg_2204]

Sad, isn't it Kim? It's the very same here; friends will leave and go somewhere else or go home because I've suggested they should go skateboarding, or ride their bike, play football or something. I get the same dirty looks when I serve them carrot and celery sticks with a dip... or cheese and fruits for snacks.

I have to pay for karate lessons or sign my children up in after school clubs if I want them to 'move' a bit more. It's like they need to have something organized for them... because they just don't have the motivation to go outside on their own. When I was a kid, rainy days meant spending lots of time indoors and I used to really hate it. I don't understand...

I don't like the option choosing scheme. When I was in secondary school, we'd have to do exams for ALL subjects, full stop. I'd have over an hour of homework each and every day, and I had chores at home, and often had to cook supper. I had plenty of time to go outside too. Perhaps I learned how to manage my time at a young age? I hate the fact my daughter has the choice to drop history, geography, art or PE. In my opinion, everything's important!

Ever listened to what teens talk about between themselves? It's really scary...

Our youth is our future. Not looking forward to it. I hope I'm senile so I won't cry my eyes out.

Marie
:)

[Eri's mom]

I agree about the amount of homework...it's unbelievable. I will say my kids are now allowed out until 5:30 b/c they want to be outside, either playing a neighborhood game of football or skateboarding or making ramps to jump w/ their bikes, or even soccer or basketball...or just swinging on the swings.
It's better for them to get out all that energy, plus gets their minds going for homework.
My kids can't stand being indoors...I'm so glad for the DST...it was a pain getting them in by 6 w/ all their friends coming to the door asking for them to play(about 97% of the time on our yard)...

They like the healthy snacks...it's not unusual to see them w/ green beans or carrots and dip.(they love green beans raw or cooked w/ some garlic salt)...(OK, not so much my son, he's a junkie for junk food)...lol...but I'm working on that!!!