What can parents can do to help their kids learn healthful eating and exercise habits? What should all parents know about juvenile diabetes?

We asked Alvin Perelman, M.D., medical director for pediatric endocrinology at Cardon Children's Medical Center.

RAKmagazine: Let's start off with questions about juvenile obesity. How do you define "obese"?

Dr. Perelman: The child’s Body Mass Index being higher than 85% for their age is the number one indicator.

RAKmagazine: Why is childhood obesity more of a problem for today's children than in past generations?

Dr. Perelman: Less activity, as well as increased portion size in restaurants and stores.

RAKmagazine: Do babies with high birth weights tend to be overweight as children?

Dr. Perelman: A high birth weight equals a higher chance of being overweight later in life.

RAKmagazine: What steps can parents take at so young an age to prevent high birth weight babies from becoming overweight?

Dr. Perelman: Watch their food intake and increase activity. TV & video games take away from activity.

RAKmagazine: Do a parent's eating habits affect how a child will eat?

Dr. Perelman: Absolutely. Kids model what they see.

RAKmagazine: What is the best way to change a child's eating habits? 

Dr. Perelman: Family is key to making changes. It's all about the family. Teach the family about nutrition, portion sizes and importance of activity.

RAKmagazine: What suggestions do you have for packing healthy lunches for school that offer variety and do not need to be in the fridge all morning?

Dr. Perelman: Avoid pre-packaged stuff. Low-calorie breads, low-calorie lunch meats are good. Look for fun things at the store.

RAKmagazine: Any particular ingredients that should be avoided when grocery shopping for lunches?

Dr. Perelman: Avoid high-fat foods. Watch carbs. Read labels and avoid pre-packaged foods.

RAKmagazine: What is the best strategy to help an overweight child, particularly when siblings and/or family members are not?

Dr. Perelman: Stock your cupboard with good snacks and be sure to watch TV and video game usage.

RAKmagazine: What should a parent do if extended family members try to "sabotage" a child's healthy eating/lifestyle plan?

Dr. Perelman: Talk to them. Get the whole family involved. All successful cases have an involved family.

RAKmagazine: Do "fat camps" work?

Dr. Perelman: Absolutely. You can lose weight. But the object is to teach nutrition for long-term success.

RAKmagazine: Does childhood obesity cause juvenile diabetes? Are most children with diabetes overweight?

Dr. Perelman: Juvenile diabetes is not obesity-related. Type II, more common in kids, can be weight-related. Not all Type II cases are linked to weight, but the vast majority are.

RAKmagazine: Is juvenile diabetes hereditary? Can you develop juvenile diabetes without a family history of the illness?

Dr. Perelman: Most kids do not have a family history of juvenile diabetes. It just happens.

RAKmagazine: What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Dr. Perelman: Drinking water [excessively], urinating [excessively] and losing weight. When blood sugar increases, sugar pulls water with it.

RAKmagazine: What is the difference between Type I diabetes and Type II diabetes?

Dr. Perelman: Type I used to be called juvenile diabetes. It develops at any time. There is no family history. Type II is usually related to weight and more common with family history. The two are treated differently. Type I requires insulin injections. Type II can be treated with oral medicine and diet.

RAKmagazine: What are the statistics of a child getting Type 1 if one of their parents has it? Does this put them at higher risk for Type 2?

Dr. Perelman: Chances of a child getting Type I is 1.5%if the mom has Type I and 6% if the dad has Type I. If you have a sibling with Type II, you have 50% chance of getting Type I.

RAKmagazine: How is insulin administered with children?

Dr. Perelman: Insulin administered by injection only.

RAKmagazine: Can a child with diabetes still participate in typical childhood activities?

Dr. Perelman: Definitely. With the right regimen, kids can do whatever they want to do.

  
Before coming to Cardon, Dr. Perelman sereved for 17 years at Phoenix Children's Hospital, as the head of the endocrine section. As a physician, he strives to provide personalized service to patients and families, including calling patients on nights or weekends when he gets lab work back.