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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Type 2 diabetes in children is a chronic condition that affects the way your child's body metabolizes sugar (glucose).

Type 2 diabetes is a disease more commonly associated with adults. But type 2 diabetes in children is on the rise, fueled largely by the obesity epidemic.

There's plenty you can do to help manage or prevent type 2 diabetes in children. Encourage your child to eat healthy foods, get plenty of physical activity and maintain a healthy weight. If diet and exercise aren't enough, your child may need oral medication or insulin treatment to manage his or her blood sugar.

References
  1. Laffel L, et al. Epidemiology, presentation, and diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  2. Am I at risk for type 2 diabetes? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/DM/pubs/riskfortype2/. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  3. Standards of medical care in diabetes — 2008. Alexandria, Va.: American Diabetes Association. http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/vol31/Supplement_1/. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  4. McCulloch DK, et al. Pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  5. Laffel L, et al. Comorbidities and complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  6. McCulloch DK, et al. Glycemic control and vascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  7. Kidney disease (nephropathy). American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/kidney-disease.jsp. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  8. Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your eyes healthy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_eyes/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  9. Why taking care of your diabetes is important. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. http://www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/care.htm. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  10. Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your feet and skin healthy. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_feet/. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  11. Estimated Average Glucose, eAG. American Diabetes Association. http://professional.diabetes.org/GlucoseCalculator.aspx. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  12. Laffel L, et al. Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  13. The basics of insulin. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/utils/printthispage.jsp?PageID=TYPE1DIABETES3_263601. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  14. Hypoglycemia. American Diabetes Association. http://tracker.diabetes.org/hypoglycemia.php. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  15. Hyperglycemia. American Diabetes Association. http://tracker.diabetes.org/hyperglycemia.php. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  16. Ketoacidosis. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/ketoacidosis.jsp. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  17. International Expert Committee. International Expert Committee report on the role of the A1C assay in the diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2009;32:1.

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June 13, 2009

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