The final research paper would explore efforts undertaken around the world to prevent obesity in children in order to prevent diabetes. According to a report published by the World Health Organization, “more than 22 million children under five years old are obese or overweight, and more than 17 million of them are in developing countries. Each of these children is at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes…” (“Fight Childhood Obesity to Help Prevent Diabetes,” 2004 ).
Moreover, the International Diabetes Federation has predicted that by 2025, the number of people with diabetes may reach at least 333 million (“Diabetes and Obesity,” 2004). Undoubtedly, these statistics call for large scale efforts to prevent childhood obesity so as to prevent diabetes. Although the causes of diabetes remain as a mystery, many medical experts believe that genetics and poor lifestyle choices – e g. lack of exercise – that result in obesity may very well be responsible for the disease (“All About Diabetes”).
At a growing stage, children’s bodies should be effectively converting foods into energy, so that they can develop into mentally and physically healthy people – the future of our world. If glucose starts to build up in the blood rather than going to the cells, eventually the high blood glucose level may start to hurt the eyes, nerves, kidneys or heart (“All About Diabetes”). Such suffering is very difficult for a child to bear. It is easy to buy a hamburger from Wendy’s on the way back from school – both for the mom and the child.
However, the cost of sickness is much higher than the convenience of a drive through fast food restaurant. Everybody wants children to flourish and help the nation and the entire world to prosper as well. Besides, all health experts are of one voice as far as the relationship between diabetes and obesity is concerned. Unsurprisingly, therefore, in the case of diabetes, it must be timelessly stated: obesity prevention is better than cure. References All About Diabetes.
American Diabetes Association. Retrieved Feb 11, 2009, from http://www. diabetes. org/about-diabetes. jsp. Diabetes and Obesity – A Global Problem. (2004, Nov). International Diabetes Federation. Retrieved Feb 11, 2009, from http://www. idf. org/home/index. cfm? node=1310. Fighting Childhood Obesity to Help Prevent Diabetes, says WHO and IDF. (2004, Nov 11). World Health Organization. Retrieved Feb 11, 2009, from http://www. who. int/mediacentre/news/releases/2004/pr81/en/index. html.