TITLE:
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Children and Adolescents: Early Prevention and Non-Drug Therapy
AUTHORS:
Lunan Zhao, Ting Long, Amy Leung Hui, Ruozhi Zhao, Shaohua Long, Wen Peng
KEYWORDS:
Diabetes, Youth, Prevention, Non-Drug Therapy
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Diabetes Mellitus,
Vol.7 No.3,
July
31,
2017
ABSTRACT: The global rate of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in youth has increased
dramatically in the last 30 years. This increase mirrors the global epidemic of
childhood obesity. Studies show that, compared to adults who develop T2DM,
youth with T2DM ultimately suffer from more harmful symptoms. The prevalence
of T2DM and obesity in youth signals a significant public health issue
that financially burdens governments, families, and individuals. Since evidence
suggests that T2DM in youth is different from both type 1 and type 2
diabetes in adults, researchers and clinicians face many difficulties in developing
new treatments. Most treatment efforts have relied on drugs; however,
recent studies suggest that non-drug therapy also effectively reduces obesity
and diabetic symptoms. Healthier eating, increased physical exercise, and positive
mental health, are often underappreciated factors towards managing obesity.
Yet these lifestyle changes empower both young and older patients to
independently fight diseases and attain better health. To manage the global
health risk of obesity, further research addressing the prevention and nondrug
early intervention of T2DM and obesity in youth is urgently needed. The
present review focuses on the latest updates in the field.