For the first time ever, the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) has issued guidelines for the management of Type 2
diabetes. Until now type 2 diabetes has been considered an adult
onset disease, but pediatricians are seeing more and more
children either pre-diabetic or fully engaged in Type 2. Many
physicians believe that the increase in type 2 diabetes is
directly related to the rise in childhood obesity. Type
1diabetes is a chronic condition that is also known as juvenile
diabetes or insulin dependent diabetes. It is often a genetic
disease or can be caused by certain viruses. With type 1
diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin. It is not
curable but can be managed. Type 2 diabetes is much more common
and is rising rapidly among children and teens. It now accounts
for up to one in three new cases between the ages of 10 and 18.
Why has the AAP decided guidelines are now needed? Because type
2 diabetes was once considered an adult disease- not a childhood
disease. "Few providers have been train