Violante ORM

Language: Spanish
References: 11
Page: 103-106
PDF size: 141.75 Kb.

ABSTRACT

A breakout of obesity is sprouting around the world. The worst part is that there are not only more obese people, but that obesity is being seen in young children. Child obesity has several severe complications. The most important is diabetes type 2 at an early age, something rarely seen before. This type of diabetes in children and adolescents, at the moment, is up to 45% of the cases in these age groups. There is a higher risk of diabetes if obesity is present in the family history, if they belong to the high-risk ethnic groups of Afro-Americans or Hispanics (Mexico-Americans). Diabetes usually shows up without any symptoms, without the classic «polis» and must be checked if the child/adolescent has gained weight fast recently or if there is clinical data of resistance to insulin such as acantosis nigricans. The treatment is the big challenge of this new millennium due to the fact that there is no past experience in this field. The use of sibutramine or orlistat in these age groups is not authorized. As for diabetes, the use of metformina as the first medication in the treatment is a logical strategy because of the characteristics of the disease but, it is evident that the algorithmic of the treatment is very similar of what is done with the adult patient with diabetes type 2. The Health Authorities and all society should be required to participate in educational programs at public and private levels to promote a change in lifestyle and general doctors should be aware of this new way diabetes is breaking out.

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