Type1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune destruction of beta cells of pancreas that are involved in production of insulin. The only treatment for Type1 diabetes is the regular administration of insulin. In addition, the blood-glucose levels have to be carefully monitored. Since most of the people struck by Type1 diabetes are children, Type1 diabetes is also referred to as “juvenile” diabetes or childhood diabetes.
For children affected with Type1 diabetes a possible way of bringing down their blood-sugar levels may be through cutting short their time in front of the idiot-box. These conclusions were made following a recent study on 583 children with ages averaging around 13 years. This study conducted in Oslo, Norway will be published in the Diabetes Care journal’s June edition.
Earlier American Academy of Pediatrics had advised that children with Type1 diabetes should restrict their TV viewing to about 2 hours a day. The Norwegian study lends relevance to this advice since increased TV watching is attributed to less physical activity. Increased physical activity is one of the ways in which blood-sugar levels can be kept in check in Type1 diabetes. In addition, increased TV viewing increases snacking by children, which also results in high blood-sugar levels. The high blood-sugar levels may not prove healthy for the children.
Thus, a sedentary lifestyle with increased time spent in front of the TV may not prove beneficial to the health of children with Type1 diabetes. The importance of an active lifestyle should be emphasized to these children so that they remain healthy.
Image: Themodernmommy
Via: Firstcoastnews
