Research News
Resources
Books
When a Child Has Diabetes
A comprehensive guide for families that includes case histories, charts and diagrams, and tips on day-to-day living.
| | |
|
Subscribe to our e-newsletter! e-mail
What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?
It is believed that both genetic and environmental causes contribute to type 2 diabetes. There has been a sudden increase
in new cases of children, and especially teens, with type 2 diabetes. This is related to the increase in overweight and obesity
problems in youth. We know that children or teens with any of following conditions are at greater risk of developing type
2 diabetes:
-
Being overweight (obese). It is well known that overweight children produce too much insulin. When they need extra insulin,
they simply can’t produce enough. In addition, extra fatty tissue is known to lead to insulin resistance.
-
Going through puberty. Changes in hormone levels during puberty cause insulin resistance and decreased insulin action.
-
Not doing enough physical activity.
-
Having a strong family history of diabetes.
-
Having an African, Hispanic, Aboriginal, or Asian background.
-
Having dark, velvety patches in skin folds. This is called acanthosis nigricans. It occurs in about 9 in 10 people with type 2
diabetes. It is most often found between the fingers and toes and on the back of the neck and armpits. It is a sign of insulin
resistance.
-
Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a disorder with a number of symptoms. Some of these are a lack of menstrual
periods, unusual hair growth, and becoming overweight.
| Last Reviewed | Reviewed by |
| June 21, 2004 | Marcia Frank, RN, MHSc, CDE
Denis Daneman, MB, BCh, FRCPC
|
| |
 |
Pregnancy
What happens after sperm meets egg?
|
|
