Detail Information on Diabetes in Children

Today the diabetes in children (mostly type 1 diabetes) through out the world is growing with an alarming rate. The cases of childhood diabetes has increased 3 times in last 30 years. In England, 17 children, Finland 43 children, Japan 3 children in 100,000 develop diabetes. In USA, 125,000 kids of age 19 and under are suffering from Type 1 diabetes.

Compare the above figures to the childhood diabetes cases in India. According to Dr Vipul Patel of India, ''Type 1 diabetes is growing by 5% per year among pre-school children in India. It is estimated that 70,000 children, who are under 15 years, develop juvenile type 1 diabetes each year (almost 200 children a day!)." Details on Causes and Risks of Type 1 Diabetes

Symptoms of Diabetes in Children

Typical symptoms in children with type 1 diabetes are tummy pains, headaches and behaviour problems alongwith the usual symptoms of diabetes like weight loss, thirst, tiredness and frequent urination.

How to manage childhood diabetes

Majority of children with diabetes are treated with insulin. The parents should keep the patience and do the following.

1. Children with diabetes need regular physical activity, at least 1 hour daily. Reduce their time on TV, movies and video games and increase their physical activities like walking, swimming, playing games. They should be allowed to watch a few favorite TV programs only. Physical activity helps to lower blood glucose levels, especially in people with type 2 diabetes.
2. A balanced diet at regular intervals is the cure for childhood diabetes. Stop giving them junk foods and start them giving them a healthy diet with high carbohydrates and high protein foods, according to Dr Archana Arya, Child Diabetes expert.
   
   A child should have fat intake of 20 per cent and carbohydrates intake of 55 to 70 per cent of total energy. Discuss with the doctors and dietician about your child's right amount of calories for his age, and ideas for healthy food choices especially carbohydrates such as breads, pasta, and rice as these can affect blood glucose levels.
   
   Bean sprouts, dalia, chappati mixed with soya flour, oats and oatmeal, roti or chapati with palak or meth, makki roti are good for the children.
3. Always give them food from home (tiffin) when they go to school, otherwise they will eat junk food there.
4. Include more fenugreek (methi), chana dal - methi vegetable, spinach (palak), mung and palak dal, and fiber rich dalia in their diet.

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