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PAHO Diabetes Page
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A Focus on Children
 World Diabetes Day (WDD) is
celebrated worldwide on November 14. Last year, the United Nations approved a
resolution recognizing WDD as an official UN celebration.
This year, WDD is focused on
diabetes in children, with the message that “lifestyle changes such as eating a
healthy diet and being physically active are effective in delaying and, in many
cases, preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes, improving glycemic control,
and reducing the risk of developing complications in children with type 1
diabetes.”
Children can present type 1
or type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes appears most frequently among children and
adolescents and requires insulin treatment. Sometimes type 1 diabetes appears
in the form of ketoacidosis and it is necessary to diagnose and treat the
disease quickly. Children with type 1 diabetes can live a healthy life if they
and their families are properly educated and the proper treatment is followed.
Overweight and obesity are
increasingly affecting children and adolescents, resulting in more children
being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a disease until recently associated with
adults. Research demonstrates that type 2 diabetes can be prevented by reducing
body weight through diet and physical activity.
PAHO Director Dr.
Mirta
Roses Periago, in a message commemorating WDD, said “our message
is directed to children and adolescent as well as their parents and teachers, to
emphasize that obesity and type 2 diabetes can be prevented by maintaining an
active lifestyle and a healthy diet”.
Research also demonstrates
that the risk of premature mortality and some complications of type 1 and type 2
diabetes can be decreased by improving glycemic control. A healthy diet and
increased physical activity can benefit children with both type 1 and type 2
diabetes.
PAHO is joined by its
partners across the Americas in celebrating WDD. People living with diabetes
across the Region expressed their support of PAHO’s celebration and offered testimonies about their life with diabetes, and the importance of this
celebration:
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Dr. Alfredo Privado, Minister
of Health of Guatemala, a person with diabetes, says “ I personally recommend a
healthy diet and exercise and to follow an adequate treatment adequate for
better glycemic control”. Dr. Privado's message
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Lurline Less, chairperson of
the Diabetes Association of Jamaica—who has had diabetes for 20 years—expressed
that
“The proper management of diabetes enables a person to live a normal and healthy
life.” Lurline Less's message
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Susana Feria de Campanella,
Uruguay, Chairperson of the South Central America (SACA) Council of the
International Diabetes Federation, noted that: “ On December 20th of
2006, the Organization of the United Nations approved an unprecedented resolution; it is
the first time that a UN resolution recognizes the importance of a chronic noncommunicable disease.”
Susana Feria de Campanella's message
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Children with diabetes from
Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay also expressed their testimony of how they can live
a normal life with diabetes for PAHO’s celebration of World Diabetes Day. In
Argentina, the Association CUIDAR (which means "CARE") organizes community activities to increase
awareness about diabetes in children. Children and adolescents from Argentina
expressed how they help less fortunate kids who also live with diabetes.
Country Videos: Argentina-CUIDAR
1 | 2 | Bolivia | Brazil 1 |
2 |
Paraguay |
Country Posters: Bolivia |
Paraguay
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 Don
Francisco, the famous TV host from Hispanic television, says “when I
arrived at the age of 60, I was
diagnosed with type 2 diabetes … that makes me care more about my
weight, be careful about my food intake, and be rigorous in practicing
sports.” Don Francisco's video
More information on childhood
diabetes can be found in the
articles from Diabetes Voice offered on the
main WDD website.
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