Keep your kids diabetes-free with these tips approved by the pediatric surgeons of Orange County, CA.
In recent years, diabetes has been on the rise. It hasn’t just been an increasing problem for adults, but it’s also affected children. This increase in prevalence is largely in rates of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body is unable to produce enough insulin, which is a hormone, to process sugars. While genetics can play a role, type 2 diabetes is primarily caused by diet and exercise. Reduce your child’s risk for diabetes and check out these tips from the pediatric surgeons of Orange County to keep your little ones healthy.
- Eat more fruits & veggies. While kids often don’t like to eat their fruits and vegetables, it’s important that they do. Whether they come fresh, frozen or in a can, be sure to eat well-balanced meals with raw, grilled, or steamed fruits and veggies.
- Drink more water. Water is vital to staying healthy and hydrated. Eliminate sugary drinks like soda, juice, and sports drinks from your family’s diets. While they may taste good, they offer little if any health value and can increase your child’s risk for obesity and diabetes.
- Eat less fast food. Fast food usually consists of unhealthy food. It’s generally fried and loaded with lots of calories. Try to reduce your family’s consumption of fast food. However, life gets busy and sometimes it’s a necessity. If you do eat at a fast food establishment, be sure that you make more healthful choices such as opting for dressing on the side, apple slices instead of fries, or drinking low-fat milk over soda.
- Get out and play. With video games and computers, most kids spend all day sitting. However, a sedentary lifestyle is harmful to your child’s health. Make sure that your child gets up and moves. From walking to school to playing a game of tag, make sure to limit time on electronics so that they can get the exercise they need.
Should your child need medical attention, contact Pediatric Surgical Associates. Our pediatric surgeons of Orange County are experts at protecting your kids’ health, and wellness!