LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Sobering news from a federally funded
study of nearly 700 youths with Type 2 diabetes found that it's
extremely hard to keep the disease under control. Even a common
diabetes pill failed to keep blood sugar at safe levels in half
of them. Here are some facts about teens and diabetes: — About
215,000 Americans under age 20 have diabetes. Type 1 diabetes
occurs when the body can't make insulin. Type 2 is related to
obesity and occurs when the body can't use insulin properly. —
About 3,600 youths are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes every
year. Minorities are disproportionately affected. — Teens can
lower their risk of Type 2 diabetes by maintaining a healthy
weight, being more active and eating healthy foods. — If
diabetes is not controlled, it can lead to serious problems
including vision loss, nerve damage, kidney failure, limb
amputation — even heart attacks and strokes. — A third of teens
are obese or overweight, putting them at risk of Type 2.