Pre-diabetes, a warning sign of increased risk of diabetes, is on the rise in kids. This condition occurs when blood glucose (i.e. blood sugar) levels are higher than normal, but they aren’t yet high enough to be diabetes. One report in JAMA Pediatrics found that nearly 1 in 5 kids ages 12 to 19 years old has pre-diabetes, with the rate jumping from 12 to 28 percent between 1999 and 2018.
Talk to your pediatrician about your child’s risk, especially if there’s a family history of diabetes. The good news is that, in some cases, early treatment can bring blood glucose levels to normal range, effectively preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes. Even small changes like these from the American Diabetes Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics can help:
- Cook and eat meals together. Genetics can play a role in developing diabetes, but you can reverse the risks for the whole family by working together to eat better. Simple tweaks can make a difference, such as eliminating sugary beverages, adding more whole fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and avoiding ultra-processed foods. Have kids help with new recipe selection and meal prep, which gives them a sense of ownership.
- Get moving together. Even if it’s just bundling up for a brisk walk together after dinner or taking a short weekend hike, making exercise a part of your family’s routine is the best way to incorporate more movement into everyone’s week. Aim for an hour of activity a day for your kids, but anything is better than nothing.
- Make sleep a priority. It’s often the first thing to do when we get busy, but model good behavior yourself by making sure everyone gets to bed on time, and shut off screens at least an hour before bedtime. Maintain consistent wake and sleep times, even on weekends, and keep phones out of bedrooms (that means you, too!).
- Find ways to de-stress. Studies have found that stress can affect blood sugar levels, so make sure everyone in the family has some downtime to do fun things—playing with the dog, spending time with friends, pursuing hobbies you love, or watching a funny movie together all help us feel more relaxed.
—Arricca Elin SanSone is a health and lifestyle writer.
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Everything You Need to Know About Diabetes and Kids
