A Land of Plenty — Too Much of a Good Thing Puts Kids at Risk

So what’s the difference between normal and prediabetic, and could your kids be at risk?

Americans live in a land of plenty, and for the most part, plenty is good. But too much of a good thing can have dire consequences.

For example, about 1 in 5 adolescents and 1 in 4 young adults have prediabetes, according to a recent study, which puts them at risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, kidney and cardiovascular disease. The highest risk categories were boys and those with obesity.

So what’s the difference between normal and prediabetic, and could your kids be at risk? “Compared with persons with normal glucose tolerance,” said the study summary, “adolescents and young adults with prediabetes had significantly higher [‘bad’ cholesterol levels], systolic blood pressure, central [belly fat], and lower insulin sensitivity.”

The good news is that kids can be helped now to avoid a lifetime of medical problems.

You can learn more about these subjects and how to protect yourself and your family. Download a free eBooklet on blood glucose here.

Reference

Prevalence of Prediabetes Among Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States, 2005-2016

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