Type 2 diabetes: an epidemic in children
Intended for healthcare professionals
Art & Science Previous     Next

Type 2 diabetes: an epidemic in children

Valerie Wilson Honorary research fellow, Centre for Nursing and Healthcare Research at the University of Greenwich, Insulin Pump Therapy (INPUT) group

Valerie Wilson outlines the issues resulting from the ongoing rise in the number of children and young people diagnosed with this disorder

Increasing numbers of children and adolescents are developing type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of this condition include obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, insulin resistance and hypertension. Type 2 diabetes is more common in girls and families with a positive history of the disease. Diagnosis is often delayed and may identify the presence of chronic complications. An oral glucose tolerance test and a two-hour plasma glucose assessment are the best screening and diagnostic investigations. Treatment is based on weight reduction with diet and exercise, glycaemia monitoring and medication if necessary.

Nursing Children and Young People. 25, 2, 14-17. doi: 10.7748/ncyp2013.03.25.2.14.e136

Correspondence

drvwilson@gmail.com

Peer review

This article has been subject to open peer review

Conflict of interest

None declared

Received: 05 March 2012

Accepted: 17 July 2012

Want to read more?

RCNi-Plus
Already have access? Log in

or

3-month trial offer for £5.25/month

Subscribe today and save 50% on your first three months
RCNi Plus users have full access to the following benefits:
  • Unlimited access to all 10 RCNi Journals
  • RCNi Learning featuring over 175 modules to easily earn CPD time
  • NMC-compliant RCNi Revalidation Portfolio to stay on track with your progress
  • Personalised newsletters tailored to your interests
  • A customisable dashboard with over 200 topics
Subscribe

Alternatively, you can purchase access to this article for the next seven days. Buy now


Are you a student? Our student subscription has content especially for you.
Find out more