A pilot study of 45 middle school kids shows that more than a third of those screened had abnormal levels of blood sugar or high cholesterol. Two had blood sugar levels (HbA1c) in the diabetes range.
The study supports routine screening for diabetes and abnormal lipids, but most are not routinely screened, even though the American Academy of Pediatrics and other major medical organizations recommend it.
“We were shocked with the diabetes screening results,” says Robert Siegel, MD, director of the Center for Better Health and Nutrition at Cincinnati Children’s. “Most studies show that around 20 percent of kids will have abnormalities, so we weren’t too surprised by the results of the lipid screening. Our message is to get screened, eat right, and get out and play.”
Read more at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Photo credit: ghcassel via Pixabay