Diabetes in School

The impact of diabetes on school-age children across Alabama continues to increase. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports:

• The prevalence of overweight children between the ages of six and 11 has more than doubled in the past 20 years.
• The prevalence of overweight adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 has more than tripled over the same period.
• Currently one in every 400 to 600 school-age children has diabetes.
• Current estimates reveal one out of every three children born in the United States in the year 2000 will develop diabetes during his or her lifetime.
• In adults: More than 23.6 million people have diabetes in the United States.
• In adults: About 26% of adults aged 20 years and older currently have pre-diabetes.

This epidemic will require an on-going, comprehensive effort throughout the state to educate school-age children, faculty, staff, and parents about this chronic disease, as well as preventive measures, including adequate physical activity and healthy eating. The following components are recommended to combat this epidemic:

• Lesson plans and video resources for kindergarten through twelfth grade schools
• Information at the Diabetes Branch website for school faculty and families
• Continuing education opportunities for school nurses providing services for students with diabetes

You can find more information on diabetes and youth from the ADPH Diabetes Program or from the National Diabetes Education Program.