An increasing number of children in Qatar are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes due to changes in lifestyle that tend toward obesity, according to Dr Mahmoud Al Zyoud, consultant at the Paediatrics Endocrine and Diabetes section at the Hamad Medical Corporation.
“Before, almost 90 percent of diagnosed cases of diabetes in children involved type 1 diabetes. Nowadays, about 30 percent of diagnosed cases in children involve type 2 diabetes,” said Al Zyoud. The number of children diagnosed with diabetes is also on the rise every year.
Diabetes, currently one of the most common chronic diseases, is broadly divided into two types, type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetes, and type 2 which can be managed initially without insulin.
According to Al Zyoud, type 2 diabetes previously affected mostly adults. However, this type of diabetes is becoming more common in children due to the increasing prevalence of obesity, a risk factor in this disease.
“Obesity is increasing as children are less active than they used to be. With the present availability of electronic games, computers and cable television, children spend more time indoors and are getting less exercise,” explained Al Zyoud.
Eating habits have also changed. Children previously tended to eat more healthy foods, but now with the wide availability of high-calorie, fatty foods and soft drinks in fast food restaurants and supermarkets, children tend to consume more carbohydrates and fats.
“Healthy eating habits and physical exercise are important in preventing obesity. If we can prevent obesity, then we can prevent type 2 diabetes,” said Al Zyoud.
He cautioned parents to watch out for the warning signs of diabetes in children, which include increased thirst and appetite, frequent urination or bedwetting, weight loss and general weakness.
If children are not diagnosed at this stage, they can proceed to a more dangerous stage called diabetic ketoacidosis, which is characterised by vomiting, abdominal pain and dehydration, and may lead to a state of coma.
“If the parents notice that the child is drinking too much water, wakes often during the night to go to the bathroom, or unexplainably loses weight, it is very important to check the blood sugar immediately. They can do this at home with a glucose meter, or through their doctor or health centre,” said Al Zyoud.
Parents are advised not to wait as early diagnosis is important to prevent the disease’s progression to a more dangerous stage.
The Peninsula