Do not blame diabetes in children candy

Sweets do not blame for increased diabetes numbers in children

Diabetes, the so-called diabetes, is by no means just an old-age disease. More and more children get sick. Doctors have so far no explanation for the increase. But sweets are not the problem.

Rise is a mystery
More and more children in this country suffer from type 1 diabetes and also the disease breaks out earlier. This increase in diabetes is a mystery, because doctors have no explanation for it. „Why the type 1 diabetes increases - for the answer you can still win a Nobel Prize“, Thomas Danne, chief physician at the children and youth hospital on the Bult in Hanover and chairman of diabetesDE - German Diabetes Aid. „It's like a puzzle.“ Here, diabetes meets not only the elderly and overweight. The „Diabetes parent-Journal“ tells about cases such as the little Ann-Fabienne, the gymnast is gymnast and got with seven sugar and still leads a largely normal life.

Children especially affected by type 1
Diabetes is the most common metabolic disease in children. Of the under-18s, around 30,000 in Germany suffer from type 1 and the new cases increase each year, depending on the source by two to four percent. When the disease derails the immune system and destroys the insulin-producing cells. In type 2, also often referred to as adult onset of diabetes, insulin, often as a result of obesity, is not sufficient and the body can not produce enough at some point. Whereas a few decades ago, it was possible to observe diseases of type 2 diabetes almost exclusively in the elderly (hence also called adult-onset diabetes), today adolescents are increasingly suffering from the metabolic disorder.

Sweets do not matter
Most diabetes 1 children are found in Finland. The reasons are unclear. „We know that certain viral diseases promote the risk“, so Danne. About 20 genes would be linked to type 1 diabetes. Nutritional components or vitamin D deficiency may also play a role. „Sure is only: sweets do not matter“, explains Danne. „There are a lot of open questions.“ However, the type 2 diabetes risk can be increased by sweet soft drinks, as recently reported by the German Institute for Nutritional Research (DifE). The German Diabetes Aid, chaired by Danne, is campaigning for donations and more research.

Enormous burden for the family
Especially if the patients are still small children, this represents an enormous burden on the family dar. Half a dozen times a day, the blood sugar must be measured and about four times injected insulin. For this the little ones have to be awakened partly at night. The metabolism is influenced in this phase by growth, urge to move and infections in an unpredictable way. A high sugar value can be deadly in extreme cases. And a hypoglycaemia, in which the consciousness clouded, is dangerous. It does not necessarily become easier later in the teenage years either. Often the adolescents then resort to alcohol and increases the risk of hypoglycemia. Or the drug Extasy. „ There someone danced through three nights. If he has an extreme low blood sugar, nothing will save him“, so Danne.

Overweight and lack of exercise as causes
Around six million Germans suffer from type 2 diabetes. Causes of the disease are a genetic predisposition, overweight and lack of exercise. More and more young people are getting sick, but rarely children. „We have a problem with obesity and children. But diabetes is only the final stage“, said vice-chairman of the research group Diabetes at the Helmholtz Center in Munich, Michael Hummel. „It's not true that type 2 diabetes is increasing in children.“ However: „We are seeing more and more type 2 patients aged 25 and 35 years.“

Punitive tax on unhealthy food
In the fight against type 2 diabetes, around 20 states have imposed a compulsory levy on sugary drinks. Recently, Mexico also passed a tax on calorie-fast foods and sugary sodas. According to the World Agriculture Organization (FAO), around one third of people in the country are overweight. A „criminal“-Taxation of unhealthy foods could be a way in this country, said Danne. A restriction on the opening of fast food restaurants is also possible. The policy is now required. „What people like to do in Germany is printing colorful brochures. Other countries have a national diabetes plan. "

Insulin so far the only solution
In general, family support and schools need to be better prepared. By losing weight and exercise can treat type 2 diabetes. Type 1 can not be cured. „The only thing we can do is give insulin“, explains Danne. „What we can offer are technical solutions.“ Recently, patients had first tested an artificial pancreas at home. With the device you can automatically measure the sugar in the tissue and it then gives off the right amount of insulin. But it will take a long time for such devices to reach marketability. (Ad)