DIABETES RISK HIGHER IN CHUBBY CHILDREN

By Rohana Mustaffa

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- Chubby children are certainly cute to look at but unfortunately they are in greater risk for diabetes.

Thus a healthy diet and lifestyle from very young are on the top of the
list of advice from those in the know.

"This is definitely easier said than done," says a medical practitioner on
the best advice for obese children who are at high risk and how to inculcate the
right eating habits.

"In inculcating good eating habits it should involve the whole family. What
is consumed by the parents generally is consumed by the children plus their
favourite snacks, fast food and so on," says Dr Fuziah Md Zain who is with the
Putrajaya Hospital's Pediatric Department.

She says, her observation pointed that the obese children are normally
the youngest or the eldest, as they are the pampered ones, and the other
siblings between them are usually normal in body weight.

Dr Fuziah added that in conjunction with World Diabetes Day last year,
several obese children and their parents were invited for a talk on obesity
and its link with diabetes.

An aerobic session was held to make the event more livelier and at the same
time they were reminded why exercise is important, the dangers of diabetes and
why it is important to take care of their diet.

This year the Diabetes Day was commemorated on Nov 14 with the theme
`Diabetes Among Children and Adolescents'.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that can occur in children of all ages
including those in the pre-school age.

The Endocrinology Unit of Putrajaya Hospital with the cooperation of Novo
Nordisk Pharma (M) Sdn Bhd commemorated the day at KLCC here with the hopes of
getting the attention of the parents and children on the dangers of the chronic
disease.


DIABETES RISK IN CHILDREN

Diabetes in childhood increases the risk of other complications like
cardiovascular disease and premature death, blindness, kidney failure and
neurological damage.

When diabetes is diagnosed in young people, life expectancy is shortened
by an average of 10 to 20 years. The report says children die early because of
high blood sugar levels resulting from inaccurate diagnosis, lack of insulin or
lack of expert care.

"The diabetes threat on children is on the rise," said Dr Fuziah on
diabetes among those below 20, especially Type 2 diabetes which is almost
unheard of before in children.

In Type 2 Diabetes, the body may not produce enough insulin (which helps
the body utilise glucose), or the insulin that the body produces does not work
as well as it should, or the body may release too much glucose from stored
sources.


DIET AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Based on the records of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF),
annually there are about 70,000 children under 15 diagnosed with diabetes with
extrapolation pointing that up to 200 children are diagnosed with Type 1
diabetes daily.

"Thus we must change our perception that a plump figure makes one looks
cute," says Dr Fuziah.

The Putrajaya Hospital is concerned with rising obesity and therefore
conducts obesity clinics monthly to monitor and provide counseling to its
patients.

"We want to make sure they return home and do the right thing with their
diet, lifestyle, medication and so on," adds Dr Fuziah.

However, convincing the obese children to exercise daily is definitely not
easy, especially in Malaysia where the hot and humid weather, and the lack of
playground are often the excuse not to exercise and instead indulge in computer
and video games.

At the same time, obese parents are also advised on the dangers of their
condition and the risk of diabetes.

Obesity, added with poor eating habits like eating food that is rich in
fats, sugar, salt and carbohydrate, puts one in a greater risk of diabetes. Also
those who spend much time in front of television or indulging in computer games
rather than outdoor activities are also at risk.

Those with a family history of diabetes should be more
cautious.


FOCUS ON OBESE CHILDREN

Asked if there has been any changes in the obese children after undergoing
counseling, Dr Fuziah admits that not many are earnest in effecting a
change.

But she keeps them on the toes by meeting up with them once in three months
to check their body weight, height and so on and continue with the advice
and encouragement to change.

Dr Fuziah is also involved in the DiCARE (Diabetes in Children and
Adolescents Registry) that identifies and registers diabetic children so that
they can be monitored and treated.

From 2006 to mid 2007, about 240 children had registered with DiCARE and
the registration can be done online.

THE INVOLVEMENT OF VARIOUS PARTIES

Meanwhile, in promoting Living Well With Diabetes campaign, a
pharmaceutical firm Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD) for the second time this year
with the assistance of the Malaysian Diabetic Association held the event in
conjunction with the World Diabetes Day to encourage Malaysians to adopt a
healthy lifestyle.

The emphasis of the campaign is a healthy diet. During last year's
campaign the sugar-lite teh tarik was introduced, this year the media
was enlisted to prepare a healthy diet.

Members of the media were taken to an interactive grocery store and given
tips on how to read food labels and purchase food items according to recipes
given to them.

"Wholesome and healthy meals can easily be prepared using the usual
ingredients and that is what we want to stress at this workshop. All that is
needed is a little inventiveness by adopting healthier ingredients and cooking
styles to turn our favourite dishes into healthy servings," said Nicholas
Pillai, a food and beverage consultant.

Dr Fuziah says that in overcoming obesity and the diabetic risk, she always
emphasises the involvement of the whole family in achieving the desired results.