• 58 Million are overweight
• 40 Million Obese
• 3 Million Morbidly Obese
Obesity Is One of the Principal Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
90 to 95 percent of diabetes cases are type 2 diabetes
Most children and teens who develop type 2 diabetes are overweight. Losing weight to achieve and maintain healthy body weight is often the first step in managing type 2 diabetes.
• More than 20 million Americans have diabetes • More than 13 million people main undiagnosed • More than 1.3 million Americans are diagnosed each year
Recent research shows a significant increase in children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In 1990 4 percent of childhood diabetes cases were type 2. That number has increased by approximately 20% ranging form 8 to 45 percent depending on the age and the racial / ethnic mix of a reported group.
Eating habits are established early in life. Overweight children tend to remain that way when they become adults. Cutting "empty" calories and eating healthy must begin at the family level.
Childhood obesity is usually caused by kids eating too much and exercising too little. Encouraging kids to play outside with friends can help kids keep active. Organize family outings to include physical activity. Physical activity and exercise should be built into a daily routine to help develop a healthy weight maintenance environment.
Losing weight and keeping it off to maintain a healthy body weight is a difficult challenge for children, teens and adults. .
Creating family habits around healthy eating and regular physical activity can help children lose weight.
