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Recently, a few articles have referenced diabetes in children. There are two forms of diabetes: Juvenile onset insulin dependent (type 1) and noninsulin dependent (type 2). These forms of diabetes are very different. Type 2 diabetes historically occurs in adults. As we age, our bodies do not work as well, our metabolism slows and insulin is not used as efficiently. Recently, children have developed a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes because of poor eating habits and not enough exercise.
But there is no correlation to being overweight with type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetics do not produce insulin, so they will always rely on injections, an insulin pump some way of getting the insulin in their bodies. Without insulin, your body won't use food as fuel and, ultimately, you will die.
I am a mother of a type 1 diabetic, who was diagnosed at age 4. She does not have diabetes because she was "large at birth" or "she ate too many sweets" and "no, she won't grow out of it." Unless there is a cure, type 1 diabetes is not going away.
Get the word out to everyone that these two diseases are not the same.
LYNN BULL
Ceres
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