Unfortunately, children can also develop diabetes. Typically, they have type 1 diabetes and usually need to be given insulin shots.
The doctor caring for the child, parents and any other caregivers can all help the child to deal with the disease by following a diabetic plan designed by the child’s pediatrician.
This plan will outline a daily schedule that will help to control the diabetes such as a healthy meal plan, a plan for regular physical activity, blood glucose checks, insulin injection times or oral medication needs, and how to manage low or high blood sugar readings.
Healthy Meal Plan
Your pediatrician may ask a registered dietician to help you to learn how to plan a well-balanced meal plan for your diabetic child. A plan that includes the proper nutrition needed for a growing body, but will also avoid foods that may lead to high blood sugar levels.
It is important for the child – when old enough, to make healthy food choices so that they can help to manage their disease. Family support is needed at meal times and when shopping to make sure those foods that are bad choices are not within each reach.
Physical Activity:
Children dealing with diabetes should ideally have an hour of physical activity in total a day. Physical activity is important because it helps to control blood glucose levels, especially if the child has type 2 diabetes.
Physical activity is also necessary to help the child maintain proper weight.
When a child has type 1 diabetes, a special concern regarding physical activity is that of the child becoming hypoglycemic. To prevent this condition, it is usually advised to have the child’s blood glucose level checked prior to participating in sports or doing other exercise. A low glucose reading means that the child should not participate in any form of exercise until the level returns to a more normal level through treatment.
Children need to have their blood glucose levels checked on a regular basis. When they are old enough to understand, they need to learn what acceptable levels of blood glucose are and what to do if the levels are low or high.
A journal of blood glucose level readings should be kept, as this information is useful in managing food intake, exercise and insulin amounts.
Children must be taught the importance of eating properly, getting adequate amounts of physical exercise each day and the need for monitoring of blood glucose levels to their health.
Parents, teachers, doctors, medical staff and other caregivers must all work together to help the child to adjust, and care for diabetes.
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