More and more children are getting Type 2 diabetes. The exact cause of diabetes in children is not known. It develops in children the same way it does in adults: being overweight, not being physically active and having a family history of the disease. The Type 2 diabetic child is on the rise because of the obesity epidemic in children.

What Causes Type 2 Diabetes In Children?

Type 2 diabetes disease is a lifelong disease. The pancreas cannot make enough insulin or the body's tissues cannot use insulin properly. If a child's blood sugar stays too high too much of the time they have diabetes. The exact cause of diabetes in children is not known. It develops in children the same way it does in adults. More and more children are getting Type 2 diabetes. In the past, doctors believed that Type 2 diabetes was an adult disease and that Type 1 diabetes was a childrens disease. The Type 2 diabetic child is on the rise because of the obesity epidemic in children.

The body does not produce enough insulin, which is a hormone, or the body cannot correctly use the insulin which means insulin resistance. These conditions lead to excess sugar (glucose) in the blood. Insulin resistance increases as the amount of fat around the waist increases.

Over time, high blood sugar can cause problems with the eyes, heart, blood vessels, nerves, and kidneys. High blood sugar also makes a child more likely to get serious illnesses or infections.

There are three causes of Type 2 diabetes in children:

1) Being overweight.

2) Not being physically active.

3) Having a family history of the disease.

What is Insulin?

It is a hormone that comes from the pancreas. This is a gland located just behind the stomach. that helps the body's cells use sugar (glucose) for energy. Glucose (sugar) is one of the main source of energy for cells. What your child eats produces glucose. Your child's liver is the other source for glucose. Insulin also helps the body store extra sugar in muscle, fat and liver cells.

What is High Blood Sugar Level?

Without insulin sugar cannot get into the cells to do its work. Insulin stays in the blood instead. It can cause problems with eyes, heart, blood vessels, nerves and kidneys. A child could likely get serious illnesses or infections.

Parents, give your child encouragement. Arm yourself with knowledge about the disease and make sure your kids eat properly, exercise and stay on top of glucose levels every day. Your children can lead happier, healthier lives and become healthy, well-adjusted and productive adults. For more timely information about diabetes in children and childhood obesity, please go to: http://www.squidoo.com/DIABETES-IN-OBESE-CHILDREN