Childhood diabetes is not as common as adult onset diabetes, but over a ten year period from 2002-2012 there was a 4.8% increase in the number of children newly diagnosed (Galuska, et, al. 2018) Having diabetes as a child increases the longterm risks of more serious conditions like heart disease, loss of vision or loss of limbs from poor circulation. Children don’t understand what any of these things are or how detrimental being obese can be for there long term health, and sadly most often neither do the parents because they themselves are obese.
Prevention is the most important factor when looking at programs for children, but the social determinants that play a role in the increase in diabetes within families will make it difficult to have effective prevention programs. In many cities and counties socioeconomic determinates play a huge role in obesity because it is more expensive to eat healthy and there has not been a push to educate families on low cost healthy meals. (CDC. 2021) A family of 4 can go to McDonald’s and eat for under $12, and for a family where every dollar counts it is sometimes their only option simply because they don’t think they have any other choice.
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****Do you feel that with social media, xbox , platystation or whatever platform/gaming system they use that there is a way to include programs as incentives for children and/or adults to help prevent obesity without giving them a complex?
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Introduction:
Childhood diabetes is a serious condition that can have long-term negative impacts on a child’s health. Prevention is key, but it can be difficult due to socioeconomic factors that contribute to obesity. One potential solution is to use technology, such as social media or gaming systems, to incentivize healthy behaviors without overwhelming children or adults.
Answer:
Using technology as an incentive for healthy behavior is a promising idea. Social media, gaming systems, and other platforms can be used to promote healthy activities, such as exercise or healthy eating, and provide rewards for those who participate. This approach can be effective if done correctly, but it is important to ensure that the incentives do not become the sole focus and that children and adults are not overwhelmed or feel pressured to participate. The programs should be designed to encourage healthy habits in a positive and fun way, rather than creating a complex or negative association with weight or health.
