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Some Warning Signs Include:

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry vision

If your child experiences one or more of the above symptoms, talk to his or her pediatrician right away to have your child tested. In addition, if you have a family history of diabetes, you and your child might be at risk. Diabetes is also more common among certain ethnic groups such as African Americans, Latino’s, and Asian Americans. You should also know that there are different types of diabetes, Type II being the most common.

How can you prevent your child from developing pre-diabetes or Type II diabetes? The good news is that you can help prevent or delay your child from developing Type II diabetes by increasing daily physical activity and improving his or her current diet to make it healthier.

Here’s How:

• Make sure your child participates in a minimum of 60 minutes a day of physical activity.
• If necessary, reduce your child’s body weight through your pediatrician’s guidance.
• Encourage your child to eat more fruits and vegetables daily, and other foods that are high in fiber such as whole grains and beans – Cut back on high fat and sugar foods in your child’s diet.
• Use less salt and sodium when preparing your child’s meals.
• Watch the salt content of such prepared foods like canned soups.
• Drink plenty of water and low-fat milk daily.

For more detailed information on how you can improve your child’s diet to prevent or manage diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association website at Diabetes.org or consult your child’s pediatrician.