Over the past two decades, clinicians and researchers have been increasingly alarmed by the prevalence of type 2 diabetes among young people of color around the world. In North America, significant numbers of African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, and Hispanic Americans have acquired insulin-resistant diabetes at a much younger age than is usual for type 2 (adult onset) diabetes.

As noted in the article "Emerging Epidemic of Type 2 Diabetes in Youth" (Diabetes Care, February 1999, 22[2]), "Prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes in children and youth is a daunting challenge because of the enormous behavioral influence, difficulty in reversing obesity, and typical nonadherence in this age group."

Type 2 diabetes in childhood presents frustrating puzzles to researchers and clinicians. For starters, they have yet to agree on a formal definition of the disease. Type 2 diabetes in childhood is such a recent phenomenon that youth are mostly diagnosed by accident: for example, they are discovered during screening as part of prevention programs. We know very little about the natural history of the disease, partly because patients have not been followed long enough to learn about long-term complications. Affected populations may have unique genetic backgrounds.

The Problem of Overweight in Children and Adolescents

In 1999, 13% of children aged 6 to 11 years and 14% of adolescents aged 12 to 19 years in the United States were overweight. This prevalence has nearly tripled for adolescents in the past 2 decades. Risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, occur with increased frequency in overweight children and adolescents compared to children with a healthy weight. Type 2 diabetes, previously considered an adult disease, has increased dramatically in children and adolescents. Overweight and obesity are closely linked to type 2 diabetes. Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. This increases to 80% if one or more parent is overweight or obese. Overweight or obese adults are at risk for a number of health problems including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer. The most immediate consequence of overweight as perceived by the children themselves is social discrimination. This is associated with poor self-esteem and depression.

Soda consumption and Teenagers -Our Teenagers are in Danger Nutritionally!

Teenagers who drink a lot of soda have now been documented As being more prone to bone fractures and osteoporosis than those who do not drink much soda.

A questionnaire was given to 460 girls in the 9th and 10th grades, asking them about their diet and exercise habits, along with any History of fractures. The study's results showed that girls who drank soft drinks were more than THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY to have a bone fracture. And physically active girls who drank Cola were nearly FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY to have had a bone fracture.

Studies have linked mineral loss before to Cola consumption, but finally someone thought to check out teenager's consumption and how it might affect them.