How to Prevent a Child From Developing Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes in children is becoming more common. Diabetes, in child and adults, is preventable. Teaching a child good eating habits and healthy lifestyles is a part of prevention. Maintaining a healthy weight, a proper diet and exercise are all beneficial.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Encourage your child to exercise at least 30 minutes every day. Exercise will help maintain a healthy weight. It will maintain muscles mass and fat loss. It also helps children sleep better.
2. Monitor the child's intake of sodas and snacks. These foods are loaded with sugar, salt and preservatives. On a daily basis, this establishes bad eating habits and adds empty calories, increasing the risk of diabetes.
3. Serve your child healthy snacks. Offer them fresh fruit and raw vegetables for snacks. Unsweetened juice, milk and water are better than high sugar juices, sodas and energy drinks.
4. Teach your child the importance of a healthy diet, especially with regards to diabetes prevention. Explain to them the risk of improper diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Even the smallest of children can understand this when explained to them on their level.
5. Lead by example. Eating healthy and being active yourself will set a good example. Children mimic what adults do. If they see you eating healthy snacks of carrots and celery sticks instead of potato chips, they will want to do the same.

Tips & Warnings

• Involve your child in meal planning. Have them pick out foods and dishes they enjoy. This gets them involved in the process and teaches them how to make healthy choices.
• Have your child write the shopping list for you. Go over the list with them. Decide together which are healthy choices and which are not.
• Encourage your child to join a team sport. This helps them get exercise as well as learn new skills with friends in an organized way. Swimming, gymnastics and dance are also good activities to get children involved in.