Sorry Diabetes, But You’re So Not My Type
Students raise awareness of children’s disease
HOSA juniors take it upon themselves to raise awareness about childhood diabetes
Myth: Diabetes only affects adults.
Truth: Children have been diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes
A shocking revelation has been made to the medical society that children, between the ages 5-19, are rapidly developing type 2 diabetes.
Juniors Yeonseo Jung and Misbah Ali have taken it upon themselves to raise awareness about type 2 diabetes within the McNeil staff and student body.
“Type 1 and 2 diabetes has been shown to progress in people of all ages who do not follow a proper diet and regular exercise,” Jung said. “With this project we wish to slow the diagnosis of the disease to a larger population.”
The two students began this endeavor as a part of the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) Community Awareness Project. Their goal is to raise awareness about a healthy lifestyle that could potentially prevent type 2 diabetes.
“Type 2 diabetes in youth was unheard of; but in recent years, children are being diagnosed in high numbers,” Ali said. “In the past few years there has been an increase in patients diagnosed with diabetes, making it the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.”
The duo plans on achieving their goals through educating a wide variety of the population in the community. They have done several projects such as, educating elementary schools about the dangers of diabetes and preventative measures that they could take.
What to watch out for:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent or nighttime urination
- Blurry vision
- Unusual fatigue
Concerned students and parents are encouraged to learn more about type 2 diabetes and preventative measures. It is vital to understand this disease and prevent it before it takes over your life. Visit the following websites for more information.
American Diabetes Association: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/parents-and-kids/children-and-type-2/preventing-type-2-in-children.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/
MedlinePlus:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease
Student Website:
https://sites.google.com/site/diabetesontherun/
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