American Diabetes Awareness Day

As the Director of Student Services and an individual living with Type 2 diabetes, I am commited to providing information that can help better inform our school community.

With one in three Americans at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, it is crucial to understand your A1C levels and make lifestyle changes to lessen the complications and risks associated with diabetes.

Diabetes Alert Day® is March 25, 2025! Observed annually on the fourth Tuesday in March by the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Alert Day is a one-day “wake-up call” that focuses on the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of understanding your risk. We encourage you to find out if you—or someone you love—are at risk for type 2 diabetes by taking this quick and simple Diabetes Risk Test.

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Geneva Riddick-Faulkner, Director of Student Services Date: 25 March 2025

• Fequent Urination (Polyuria)
• Excessive Thirst (Polydipsia)
• Unexplained Weight Loss, although this is less common in childrn with Type 2 diabetes than in children with Type 1 diabetes
• Blurry Vision
• Slow Healing of Wounds
• Fatigue
• Darkened areas of skin, most often around the neck or in the armpits and groin
• Frequent infections

Type 2 diabetes in children is a chronic disease that affects the way your child's body processes sugar (glucose) for fuel. Without treatment, the disorder causes sugar to build up in the bloodstream, which can lead to serious long-term consequences.

Type 2 diabetes occurs more commonly in adults. In fact, it used to be called adult-onset diabetes. But the increasing number of children with obesity has led to more cases of type 2 diabetes in younger people.

There's plenty you can do to help manage or prevent type 2 diabetes in your child. Encourage your child to eat healthy foods, get plenty of physical activity and maintain a healthy weight. If healthy eating and exercise aren't enough to control type 2 diabetes, oral medication or insulin treatment may be needed.

When to see a doctor

See your child's health care provider if you notice any of the signs or symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Undiagnosed, the disease can cause serious damage.

Diabetes screening is recommended for children who have started puberty or are at least 10 years old, who are overweight or obese, and who have at least one other risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

From Mayo Clinic

Healthy-lifestyle choices can help prevent type 2 diabetes in children. Encourage your child to:

• Eat healthy foods. Offer your child foods low in fat and calories. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Strive for variety to prevent boredom.
• Get more physical activity. Encourage your child to become active. Sign up your child for a sports team or dance lessons.

Better yet, make it a family affair. The lifestyle choices that can help prevent type 2 diabetes in children can do the same for adults.

Graphic by: Jody Potter