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Prevention Of Type 2 Diabetes: What Can You Do?

There is an increase in the numbers of people – both children and adults – who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Prevention is important. How can be prevent it from affecting us or our children?

Who Tends To Get Type 2 Diabetes?

First of all, no one can ignore the genetic component of type 2 diabetes. For children, the estimate is that 45% to 80% of them have at least one parent with diabetes. They also often have a family history of the disease of some significance. One cannot exactly prevent type 2 diabetes with history and genetics, but one can be aware of the fact and minimize the other risks.

Being overweight can lead to type 2 diabetes. Prevention, in this sense, would be losing the extra weight. Cells have a much harder time using insulin when there is so much excess fat. Also, those who are inactive reduce their body's ability to use the insulin the body produces. More children and teens get a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, probably because more of them are now overweight.

People that are in certain ethic groups are more apt to get type 2 diabetes. There's no prevention that can help this, except education can help us be more aware. These groups are African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native American, and Asian or Pacific Islanders.

Age has something to do with developing type 2 diabetes, though prevention of aging is impossible. Children who are affected with changing hormones – those in puberty – are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes because of their hormone levels. Also, adults are more likely to be diagnosed, generally after a life of overindulging in sweets and high fat foods, and after years of little or no exercise.

So, How Do You Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?

Having enough physical exercise and eating healthily are the best things to help a child and adult to not get diabetes. Working out several meals that are healthy and meet the body's needs for vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients is important. Cutting down consumption of foods and beverages with “empty calories” is very important. These include sodas, chips, and cookies. Obviously, if your weight is excessive, take measures to get that aspect of your life under control – it will be much easier to lose weight than deal with type 2 diabetes and complications. Prevention is always best.