Diabetes is a disease that affects 29.1 million people in the United States alone. Both obesity and genetics lead one to be more likely to develop diabetes, type two in particular. Diabetes and obesity prevalence continue to rise due to the sedentary lifestyles that are common in our country. Early intervention and education is a key factor in controlling the onset of type 2 diabetes.
The pancreas plays a major role in the disease process. This organ is responsible for producing a hormone called insulin and secretes it into the bloodstream to regulate the body 's glucose or sugar level. When the pancreas does not function correctly it can produce either too little insulin or will not use the insulin that is made as it should. This altered …show more content…
Body mass index measures body fat by the height to weight ratio. For children and adolescents, obesity is considered a BMI at or above the 95th percentile of others their sex, height, and age. There are many factors that contribute to obesity as well as health risks that come along with it. Genetics, diet, portion control, and living a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the possibility of one becoming obese. Obesity increases the individual’s risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, arthritis, sleep apnea, and some cancers including breast, endometrial, and colon. With the rising prevalence of diabetes among children and adolescents, it has risen at the same rate of obesity among those age groups. Type one diabetes is inevitable and cannot be prevented. It is controlled with insulin shots that help to regulate blood glucose levels. Type two on the other hand can be prevented or delayed by making health conscious decisions. Insulin injections are not required and type two can be managed in a number of ways. A few measures include eating healthy and living an active lifestyle while also monitoring blood sugar due to hyper and
The pancreas plays a major role in the disease process. This organ is responsible for producing a hormone called insulin and secretes it into the bloodstream to regulate the body 's glucose or sugar level. When the pancreas does not function correctly it can produce either too little insulin or will not use the insulin that is made as it should. This altered …show more content…
Body mass index measures body fat by the height to weight ratio. For children and adolescents, obesity is considered a BMI at or above the 95th percentile of others their sex, height, and age. There are many factors that contribute to obesity as well as health risks that come along with it. Genetics, diet, portion control, and living a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the possibility of one becoming obese. Obesity increases the individual’s risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, arthritis, sleep apnea, and some cancers including breast, endometrial, and colon. With the rising prevalence of diabetes among children and adolescents, it has risen at the same rate of obesity among those age groups. Type one diabetes is inevitable and cannot be prevented. It is controlled with insulin shots that help to regulate blood glucose levels. Type two on the other hand can be prevented or delayed by making health conscious decisions. Insulin injections are not required and type two can be managed in a number of ways. A few measures include eating healthy and living an active lifestyle while also monitoring blood sugar due to hyper and