Number of Children with Diabetes Jumps 14% Between 2000-2008

The Western lifestyle and average American diet pave a smooth road for developing various illnesses and diseases. Over the years, food has become more processed, less natural, and filled with even greater amounts of toxic additives and ingredients than in the past. The overall lifestyle changes occurring over the years are leading a large number of adults and children alike to experience the onset of many health conditions – with some recent research pointing out that the number of children with diabetes increased 14% between 2000 and 2008.

Children with Diabetes Seems to be Increasing Over Time

The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, involved a survey of 3,383 participating children ages 12-19. What the study conductors found was that the number of children ages 12-19 with pre-diabetes or diabetes increased from 9% to 23% between 2000 and 2008. While the huge increase in pre-diabetes and diabetes cases among children is concerning, it was also found that 13% of normal weight kids were either pre-diabetic or diabetic – showing that you don’t need to be overweight to be even pre-diabetic. Only 15 years ago, less than 3% of new cases of childhood diabetes were Type 2, but that number has since increased nearly to 50%.

However, the findings regarding children with diabetes weren’t the only ones the study had to offer:

“The objective of this study was to examine the recent trends in the prevalence of selected biological CVD risk factors and the prevalence of these risk factors by overweight/obesity status among US adolescents…The results of this national study indicate that US adolescents carry a substantial burden of CVD risk factors, especially those youth who are overweight or obese,” read the objective and conclusion.

While being overweight increases the risk of having diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health conditions, it is important to remember that these problems can occur even in normal-weight individuals. In fact, 37% of normal-weight kids had one or more cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

• 18% had elevated blood pressure
• 13% had elevated blood sugar (pre-diabetes or diabetes)
• 10% had elevated cholesterol

It shouldn’t be terribly surprising that along with current eating habits and lifestyle choices comes a whole host of health issues. With the average American consuming 29 lbs of french fries, 53 gallons of soda, 24 lbs of artificial sweeteners, and a whopping 35 lbs of high-fructose corn syrup per year, health conditions are expected to increase, along with the number of children with diabetes.

On the other hand, foods like turmeric have been shown to cut heart disease and diabetes risk. The research, published in the journal Nutrition, shows how extremely simple dietary changes can have such a positive influence on health. In addition, a magnesium and diabetes connection has been made, with research showing that magnesium may play an integral role in helping to prevent type 2 diabetes – the type escalating in children.

Even if you aren’t fat on the outside, know that the food you consume is still having a profound affect on your internal system. Food not only contains calories, but also a number of other vitamins, nutrients, and minerals that help to control hormone production, gene expressions, protein synthesis, and much more. The food you consume has an impact on your whole body – not just weight.