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Healthy Home  Healthy News Latest More Children with Diabetes by John McDougall, M.D.
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More Children with Diabetes by John McDougall, M.D. |
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Written by John McDougall, M.D.
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Monday, 24 March 2008 |
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Increased incidence of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus among
adolescents by Orit Pinhas-Hamiel in the June 1996 issue Journal of
Pediatrics found the number of patients with a diagnosis of adult-onset
diabetes rose from approximately 4% of new diagnoses of diabetes from
birth to age 19 before 1992 to 16% in 1994 (128:608). Among patients
age 10 to 19 this form of diabetes accounted for 33% of the diagnoses
in 1994. The incidence increased ten-fold between 1982 and 1994. Girls
were almost twice as common as boys.
This authors of this study concluded, "There is an increasing incidence
of NIDDM (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) among adolescents in
Greater Cincinnati, accompanying the national rise in adolescent
obesity."
There are two general types of diabetes:
The most common form in children, caused by an autoimmune reaction to
cow's milk protein, is insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM); also
called type I or childhood diabetes. In this case the insulin producing
cells of the pancreas are destroyed.
The most common form in adults is non-insulin dependent diabetes
mellitus (NIDDM); also called type II and adulthood diabetes. This type
of diabetes is cause by too much rich food, especially those high in
fat and low in carbohydrates. The fat in the blood paralyzes insulin
activity and the resulting obesity contributes to the resistance of the
activity of insulin. The risk of diabetes doubles for every 20% excess
of body weight.
This study found the presence of diabetes due to obesity has risen
dramatically. One-third of all new cases are due to enthusiastic
consumption of rich foods and lack of exercise. There was a family
history of a first-degree relative with NIDDM in 65% of cases and a
first- or second-degree relative in 85% of cases. This means diabetes
runs in the family, but only when people eat a fattening diet and live
a fattening lifestyle. There may be a genetic predisposition, but more
likely, and more importantly, is people learn their habits from family
members.
Moreover, there is a strong racial difference in susceptibility, with
Hispanics and blacks having much higher incidences than Asians and
whites. Genetics or habits? I believe it's mostly due to the recent
availability of meats, dairy products, and fatty processed foods
provided in abundance by incomes from better jobs and generous food
stamp programs.
Fortunately, all this is easily turned around, especially when changes
are made in young people, before much damage is done. A low fat, high
carbohydrate, diet with exercise and accompanying weight loss will cure
the diabetes in almost every one of these kids. If they don't change,
then they're looking forward to a short life, filled with heart
attacks, blindness, kidney failure, and bottles full of medications.
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