Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
4/27/04
For immediate release
Contacts:
Lynn Allen, Lighten Up Iowa Coordinator, (515) 707-1832, lynn@iowagames.org
Tim Lane, Iowa Department of Public Health, (515) 281-7833, tlane@idph.state.ia.us
Ruth Litchfield, Ph.D.,R.D.,ISU Food Science and Human Nutrition, (515) 294-9484,
litch@iastate.edu
Diane Nelson, ISU Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-3178,
dinelson@iastate.edu
AMES, Iowa--For the first time in history we can no longer predict that our children will live longer, healthier lives than their parents. “As the number of overweight children tripled or even quadrupled over the past 40 years we’ve seen a ten-fold increase in cases of type 2 diabetes,” said Ruth Litchfield, Iowa State University Extension nutritionist. “Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control predict that if the trend continues, one in three boys and two in five girls born today will eventually develop diabetes.”
Type 2 diabetes occurs either when the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for glucose (or blood sugar) to get into the cell.
“Although typically seen in adults, type 2 diabetes is now appearing among children as young as 5 years of age,” Litchfield said. “When glucose cannot get it into the cell, it remains in the blood where it can harm the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.”
Children with diabetes are more likely to develop heart
disease in their 20s and 30s. Healthcare costs associated with diabetes are
projected to be almost
$200 billion by 2020 (without adjusting for inflation).
Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by regular
moderate exercise, moderate weight loss, and a sensible, balanced diet. One
such study, The Diabetes Prevention Program sponsored by the National Institute
of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, demonstrated that moderate exercise
together with modest weight loss was most successful in preventing the onset
of diabetes. It was even more successful than taking medications designed to
lower blood glucose levels.
“One way we’re trying to help Iowa youth avoid these health problems is by encouraging regular physical activity through the ‘Go the Distance’ program,” Litchfield said.
May 12 is ‘Go the Distance Day.’ Schools planning 30 minutes of continuous aerobic activity with 100 percent participation will be eligible to win one of five $500 awards. Additional information is available at http://www.lightenupiowa.org/youth.asp. Go the Distance is part of Lighten Up Iowa and is a program of the Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Games and Iowa State University Extension.
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