The number of children in North Dakota diagnosed with diabetes by the state's largest insurer has risen steadily in recent years, leading health officials to stress the importance of exercise and healthy eating habits.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota announced Wednesday that the number of its members 18 years old and younger diagnosed with diabetes has increased from 2.8 per 1,000 children in 2003 to 4.5 per 1,000 children last year.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota said 31 percent of the children with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes, which is more commonly found in adults who are overweight, obese or are not physically active.
Sue Streitz, a dietitian, diabetes educator and weight management coordinator with Altru Health System's Diabetes Center in Grand Forks, said the facility is not seeing a large increase in Type 2 diabetes in children. But she said the Diabetes Center is seeing an increase in risk factors that could lead to patients developing diabetes.
"We are seeing more obesity, high blood pressure and less activity among children," Streitz said. "The risks are going up. The trend has been moving toward this for some time. Now we are seeing the effects to a greater degree."
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Streitz said the increase in risk factors for diabetes is tied to children and families eating more on the run and relying more on fast food, which is higher in fat and calories, and children drinking more soda and sugar-heavy beverages, as well as engaging in less physical activity.
"These trends suggest urgent action is needed to prevent or reduce the long-term complications associated with being overweight or obese," Sherri Paxon, director of the North Dakota Department of Health's division of chronic disease said in a prepared statement released Wednesday. "It's important that we help our children eat healthy foods and become more physically active."
Dr. David Hanekom, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota's medical director, said in a statement that an increase in the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes in children may be linked to an increase in those who are overweight or obese. He also said "the decreasing activity levels currently recorded among children is another factor contributing to the increase of Type 2 diabetes."
Altru's Streitz recommended parents talk to their family physician to see if their child should be screened for diabetes, especially if there is a family history of diabetes or the child is overweight or sedentary.
She said parents should encourage a healthy lifestyle, including eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables and being active.
Streitz said parents should make an attempt to eat meals as a family away from the TV or computer and involve children in grocery shopping and preparing meals.
She also said parents need to set a good example for their children to follow.
"If children see their parents eating healthy, they will eat healthy as well," Streitz said. "The person who purchases groceries, it is very important they bring back healthy foods. If there is healthy food in the house, that's what children will eat. If junk food is all there is, they will eat it."
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Reach Schuster at (701) 780-1107; (800) 477-6572, ext. 107; or send e-mail to rschuster@gfherald.com .
