Active lifestyle still possible, even for those with diabetes
While many parents of children diagnosed with diabetes might feel as though physical activity is something their children should avoid or keep to a minimum, such precautions could be much ado about nothing. In fact, college basketball this year saw Gonzaga University’s Adam Morrison lead the nation in scoring, despite Morrison suffering from type 1 diabetes. Though Morrison took precautions and was closely monitored by team doctors and coaches, children with diabetes looking to follow in his footsteps now know it is possible, especially when following these guidelines courtesy of NDEP.
? Talk to your doctor. Before deciding what activity to participate in, consult your doctor. Certain activities can be riskier than others, as blood glucose levels can get very low depending on what physical activity you’re involved with. Even Morrison was known to need insulin shots during games, making his achievements all the more remarkable. Since exercise burns a lot of sugar, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) recommends bringing along a snack or some juice to counter any dip in blood glucose levels. Also, ask your doctor if it’s necessary to check those levels before you exercise. This is an easy precaution to take and one that can allow you to play without worry.
? Start off slow. A big reason for the increase in diabetes cases among children is the aforementioned obesity epidemic. Simply put, many children don’t get nearly enough exercise. That, in turn, leads to a greater number of children being overweight, which is a big risk factor for diabetes. For children diagnosed with diabetes who might be overweight and don’t have a consistent exercise history, making the lifestyle change is something that needs to be done gradually. NDEP suggests starting off with a few minutes of exercise each day, be it walking the dog or going for a swim or simply taking the stairs in lieu of the elevator. Children should then gradually work their way up to 60 minutes of exercise each day.
? Involve friends and family. Many adults find the buddy system to be a good motivating factor for keeping up with their own exercise regimen, and children can, too. Parents can go along for a daily walk with their child or involve them more in activities around the house. This can be a great way of not only combatting your child’s diabetes, but spending more time with your child as well. In addition, asking friends to exercise with you is a great way to stick to your daily routine.
? Keep an open dialogue with school. While most parents and educators recognize the perils of obesity on a child’s physical health and future, exercise in schools around the country continues to be put on the back burner. Recess, gym class and other extracurricular activities seemingly play less of a role each year and are often the victim of budget cuts. That means keeping connected with both teachers and school officials is more important than ever. Make sure your local officials understand how important you feel exercise programs are, and encourage other parents to do the same. Supporting legislation that might lead to cutbacks of after-school programs could be dangerous for your child’s physical health.