Treat childhood prediabetes to avoid diabetes in adulthood

Use a home blood sugar meter or ask the paediatrician to check your child’s blood sugar level if you suspect she has prediabetes. — Positive Parenting

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most concerning health issues globally.

In Malaysia, the prevalence of diabetes among adults has been increasing steadily from 11.2% in 2011 to 13.4% in 2015 and 18.3% in 2019.

One of the major precursor of diabetes is prediabetes but not many are aware of this condition, especially in children.

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered as diabetes.

It happens when the body is not responding well to insulin, resulting in a build-up of sugar in the blood.

Individuals with prediabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other non-communicable diseases, like heart disease and stroke.

A 2022 systematic review of studies from 1995 to 2021 estimated that the prevalence of prediabetes among Malaysian adults was 11.62%.

Prediabetes typically shows no clear symptoms.

When symptoms appear, unfortunately, it is usually a sign that it has progressed to type 2 diabetes.

Consider checking your child’s blood sugar levels if they have these risk factors:

• Overweight or obesity
• Family history of type 2 diabetes
• Physical inactivity
• Polycystic ovary syndrome.

Can anything be done?

The good news is that prediabetes is reversible, unlike diabetes.

By practising these measures listed in the Clinical Practice Guidelines – Management of Obesity 2nd Edition (2023), diabetes can be prevented or delayed:

• Ensure good eating habits

  Feed your child a balanced diet and reduce sugar, salt and processed foods.

  As children are still growing, dietary adjustments should be focused on healthy food choices rather than portion control only.

• Encourage physical activity

  At least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity per day is recommended.

• Aim for or maintain a healthy weight

  Overweight and obesity are among the risk factors.

• Limit screen time

  Recreational screen time should be limited to no more than one hour a day for children between two and five years old, and no more than two hours a day for children aged six years and older.

• Get enough sleep

  Toddlers (three to five years old) should get 10-13 hours of sleep daily, including naps, while school children (six to 13 years old) should get nine to 11 hours of sleep daily.

Prediabetes may not be easily noticeable, especially among children, since we often assume that diabetes and related health conditions only happen to adults.

But it is a key contributor to the increasing rate of diabetes globally.

Fortunately, with early intervention, prediabetes can be reversed and diabetes can be avoided.

Professor Dr Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin is a senior consultant paediatrician and paediatric endocrinologist. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association’s Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. For further information, please email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.