Prediabetes is on the rise in America’s youth according to the National Institute of Health.  CBS News reports that, “In 2023, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. youngsters ages 12 to 17 had prediabetes, according to recently released data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is far higher than a previous estimate that the condition affects about 1 in 5 kids.”  This is statistically significant because this puts these kids at risk for Type 2 Diabetes, as well as other serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Prediabetes Screening

The new recommendation from the ADA is for kids to be screened  after the onset of puberty or age 10 if they exhibit risk factors such as being overweight, increased hunger or thirst, slow healing sores, and/or tingling in hands or feet.  It is best to speak with your child’s physician to determine if screening for prediabetes should be done.

Prediabetes Prevention

Prediabetes is a warning sign or wake up call and does not have to lead to Type 2 Diabetes.  Prevention through healthy lifestyle choices is key.

Dietary Recommendations

  • 50% of your plate nonstarchy vegetables
  • 25% of your plate lean meats
  • 25% of your plate healthy carbohydrates/whole grain foods
  • Avoiding excess sugars by limiting sugary drinks, refined carbohydrates and sugary snacks

Physical Activity Recommendations

Exercise recommendations were recently increased to striving for 60 minutes of daily exercise in light of the new rise in prediabetes numbers, with a minimum of 30 minutes daily.  The average child today spends over 7 hours on screens.  To get kids consistently exercising, we need to make exercise fun (to compete with screens).

Our Fit-N-Fun Games Bootcamp Edition is a great choice for kids.  This workout boardgame is so fun, kids often forget they are exerising.  Keeping a tally of who wins in your family or with their friends can help cement this habit.  A small prize could be awarded weekly (or monthly) for the winner, such as excusing chores in the family, or getting to choose an outing/activity with friends. Kids can also play solo, and a tally could be made for each day they play.  If kids get 5/7 days they earn a reward (excusing a chore tends to be the most popular).

Our motto at Fit-N-Fun Games is “making exercise fun” to build lifelong exercise habits.  If we can get America’s kids hooked on exercise, we could prevent a lot of childhood illnesses. Our gamified fitness truly makes exercise fun.  Let’s get America’s kids hooked on health through physical fitness.  Purchase your game today at fitnfungames.com. 

 

Hugs & Health – Michelle

**Disclaimer:  Please always consult your physician before beginning this or any exercise program.

Works Cited:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-1-in-3-youth-prediabetes-experts-question-data/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11212763/