When considered an adult-onset condition, type 2 diabetes and prediabetes are increasingly evident in the trend of having children and teens, doctors, public health professionals, and stakeholders. Over the past 20 years, diabetes rates among adolescents in the United States have more than doubled. Currently, recent estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that around three teenagers in the United States had pre-diabetics in 2023. This is a figure that reflects the prevalence of adults. While some experts have questioned how pre-diabetes is defined and measured in young people, there is a widespread agreement that this condition is becoming increasingly common among adolescents.
“The fact that we see this in our kids is concerned,” says Anna Harvey, DHSC, RD, CBDCE, diabetes nutrition education specialist for the responsible medical board. Even if it does not progress to type 2 diabetes, prediabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by 15% and doubles the chances of developing chronic kidney disease.
Good news? Helby says that prediabetes is reversible even for weeks. But that reset requires buy-in from both parents and teens, and it starts with a meal, Harvey explains. Find out more about this condition and the best foods and read to help you reverse teen treatments and reverse sugars.
What causes prediabetes?
“The job of insulin is to open the door to the cell and pour sugar into the cells. That's a good thing, because we're built to run from sugar and carbohydrates,” explains Harvey. “But when you have prediabetics, you're starting the insulin resistant process.”
Insulin resistance occurs when cells respond appropriately to insulin signals and absorb glucose (blood sugar) from the bloodstream. The pancreas tries to compensate by releasing more insulin. However, over time, these efforts can abolish the system and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Many people believe that carbohydrates are the culprit, but that is a common misconception. “People think you're eating too many carbohydrates, and your insulin is just tired. Not so.” Instead, they say fat gets stuck inside muscle cells. “If you think of insulin as the key, [fat is] Rock bubble gum. So insulin is trying to open the door and send a message to the cell allowing sugar, but it hasn't passed or it's not that much. ”
When less sugar reaches human cells, more sugar remains in the bloodstream. This will increase fasting blood glucose levels above the normal threshold (100 mg/dL) and increase over time to the diabetes range (over 126 mg/dL).
Why are teens at greater risk today?
Type 2 diabetes diagnosis among young people almost doubled between 2002 and 2003 and 2018 to 2018. If this trend continues, the number of young people with type 2 diabetes could increase from 28,000 cases in 2017 to 220,000 by 2060.
What's behind the surge? There are probably countless contributors, including:
Increased obesity rate: Obesity increases the risk of developing at least six times of type 2 diabetes, according to a 2020 study published in Diabetologia. Approximately 22% of adolescents in the US are obese. Physical inactivity: Physical activity has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity. Globally, only 20% of adolescents engaged in the 60-minute physical activity recommended daily by the World Health Organization for age groups, and more than half of our adolescents spend four hours a day on recreational screening hours. A study published in JAMA in 2021 revealed that more than two-thirds of the calories teens burn, especially from ready-to-eat meals, sweet snacks and desserts.
How food choices affect insulin resistance
Many ultrapositive foods are also rich in animal-based ingredients, suggesting that this study may contribute to the development of insulin resistance. A 2017 study published in Current Nutrition Development found that increased animal protein consumption was associated with increased insulin resistance. In contrast, plant proteins from sources such as whole grains, legumes, and nuts were associated with improved insulin sensitivity.
Consuming animal protein increases the release of a hormone called glucagon from the pancreas. Insulin helps cells absorb glucose and lowers blood glucose, but glucagon raises blood glucose by signaling the liver and releasing accumulated glucose into the bloodstream. Over time, this pattern can reduce the cell's reactivity to insulin signals, increasing the risk of kidney damage and cardiovascular disease. Plant proteins, on the other hand, contribute to kidney and cardiovascular health.
“So you're thinking about whether your kids are eating eggs, cheese, sausage sandwiches for breakfast…and then you might drink milk or eat fries. All fats increase all day long, and your body doesn't have the chance to recover from the first meal until you process the fat. “That's the main thing: the fat in your diet. [Eating] Animal products, processed foods with too much fat and lots of oil [will make] Insulin resistance deteriorates. ”
Best foods to eat to reverse prediabetes
To reverse pre-diabetes, Harvey recommends the family.
Remove animal products from your diet. “You can't follow a really low-fat diet and you can't eat animal products either,” says Harvey. “Even chicken thinks we're healthier [meat] Avoid deep-fried foods or deep-fried foods with added oil. Instead, stir-fry in water or low-sodium vegetable soup. Instead, it envelops whole plant-based foods such as beans, fruits, vegetables, lentils, lentils, brown rice, and whole wheat pasta, or low-sophisticated plant-based foods.
Beans in particular are outstanding foods when it comes to blood sugar control. “I don't think I'm grateful for the kids eating enough beans or how amazing they are,” Helby says. “They are one of the most powerful foods for blood sugar, as they not only provide low fat, but also protein and fiber.”
A simple and kids-friendly way to eat healthier
If a complete pantry overhaul feels overwhelming, Harvey recommends starting a small. “You'll be able to add healthy options like bean burritos, smoothies and oatmeal to make healthy snacks available. Then take your time out of the house and get something that's not a good option.”
Emphasizing addition rather than subtraction makes the transition smoother and more sustainable. “Start with a meal,” says Harvey. “That's the most important thing.”
According to the American Diabetes Association, there should be a screen every two years for a family history of type 2 diabetes or signs of insulin resistance.
For more information about whole foods, plant-based diets, see Plant-based Primers. For support for your dietary planning, check out FOK's simple weekly diet planning tool, Forks Meal Planner, to maintain a healthy, plant-based path.