Type 2 diabetes is becoming more prevalent in kids because they’re not as active as they used to be. According to Mayo Clinic, type 2 diabetes in kids develop so gradually that there are often no noticeable symptoms. Often, it’s only diagnosed during a routine check-up.

Does your child have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes? Here are a few key differences between the two conditions:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes used to be called ‘juvenile diabetes’ because it was most often diagnosed in children. It’s an auto-immune condition, unrelated to lifestyle or diet. If your child has Type 1 diabetes, you’ll know very quickly because they will get very sick.

Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include:

• Very hungry
• Very thirsty
• Needing to pee a lot, especially at night
• Sudden weight loss
• Exhaustion

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, develops slowly. Until recently, it was mostly seen in older people – one of the risk factors is being over 45-years-old. But it is being diagnosed in children more and more. This is largely because our kids aren’t as active as they used to be – one of the main risk factors is a lack of physical activity. Another is being overweight or obese, particularly around the tummy area, and having a family history of diabetes.

Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include:

• Increased thirst and need to go to the loo a lot more
• If your child is tired all the time
• If your child has blurry vision
• Darkened areas of the skin – especially around the neck or in the armpits
• Weight loss (however, this is less common in kids with type 2 diabetes than in children with type 1 diabetes).

  Three ways to prevent Type 2 diabetes  

1. Eating healthy: Cutting out junk food, sweets and treats, juice, and fizzy drinks. Also, cut out refined carbs, which means white bread, white rice, pasta – all the white foods. Eat lots of green vegetables (half a plate with each meal), good quality protein, and some wholegrain carbs. It might feel like a big adjustment, but your whole family will feel better if you start eating healthier.
2. Exercise: Being fit doesn’t have to mean joining a gym. It can be as simple as a 30-minute walk, most days of the week. Or some stretching or yoga at home, or a game of soccer with the neighbourhood kids. It’s so important for kids to be physically active.
3. Losing weight: Maintaining a healthy weight is important for all children. If your child is active and eating healthy, drinking lots of water, and staying away from junk food, weight loss will be a natural result.