Diabetes is being diagnosed in epic numbers among children in the United States. Obesity and lack of physical activity are two of the major reasons for the prevalence of this disease. The Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper is pleased to bring parents this information on detecting diabetes in school-age children.
Diabetes occurs when specialized cells of the pancreas (a gland behind the stomach) do not produce adequate amounts of the hormone insulin. Insulin permits the body to process proteins, fat, and sugars in food to make body tissues, produce energy, and store energy. In people without diabetes, insulin is produced as needed to process food. But people with diabetes have a reduced supply of insulin or none at all.
