Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and adolescents in the United States. The majority of new diabetes cases are type 1 diabetes in the pediatric population. However, type 2 diabetes has become increasingly common in children and adolescents over the past two decades and appears to be a growing problem. In this discussion forum, use your knowledge of type 2 diabetes in adults and sift through the current literature to determine the risk factors associated with the development of type 2 diabetes in youth and the complications that may occur in youth with this disease. In your post, answer and address the following:
1. What are the various risk factors for and/or contributors to the development of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents?
2. What are the microvascular and macrovascular complications associated with type 2 diabetes in the pediatric population?
3. Based on the risk factors and complications associated with type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents, develop five lifestyle targets that could be implemented in type 2 diabetes prevention programs for youth (example of a lifestyle target: “achieve weight loss >5%”).
