Is Your Child At Risk?

Obesity, Acanthosis nigricans, and Type 2 Diabetes

Causes of overweight children

• Genetic factors• Lack of exercise• Unhealthy eating• Combination of the

above

Is My Child Overweight?

Child’s doctor – Weight– Height– Age– Growth Patterns

Linking overweight children to diabetes

Type 2 diabetes – your body may or may not produce insulin.

Insulin takes the glucosefrom the blood into the cells.

What happens when you have type 2 diabetes?

Without enough insulin, your body can’t move glucose from the blood into the cells. This causes a traffic jam of sugar in the blood.

Too much sugar (glucose) in your blood

can cause

– Tiredness– Loss of eyesight– Kidney problems– Nerve problems

What puts someone at risk

for diabetes?Being overweight

Having a family member with diabetes

Being a member of a minority group

Facts about diabetes

You don’t get diabetes because you have a ‘sweet tooth.’

There is no such thing as a ‘touch of sugar’ or being ‘borderline diabetic.’

Do you or your child…?• Feel thirsty all the time?• Have to use the restroom

often?• Lose weight without trying?• Have sores that take a long

time to heal?• Have dry itchy skin?• Have less feeling or

experience tingling in the feet?

• Have blurry eyesight?

Acanthosis Nigricans

Screening tool for high levels of insulin

High levels of insulin are a risk factor for type 2 diabetes

Hints for a More Active & Healthy Lifestyle

Eat Healthy!

Be Active!

Thank You For Coming!

Any Questions?

Is Your Child At Risk? Obesity, Acanthosis nigricans, and Type 2 Diabetes written by Courtney J. Schoessow, MPH March 2003.

Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating