Type 2 diabetes affects how the body turns sugar (glucose) from food into energy. Normally, insulin — a hormone (chemical messenger) — helps glucose enter cells. In people with type 2 diabetes, the body still makes insulin, but the cells don't respond to it properly (this is called insulin resistance). As a result, glucose can't get into the cells and instead builds up in the blood. This causes hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar levels.

Treatment usually includes healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, checking blood sugar levels, and sometimes medicine or insulin. With the right care, kids with type 2 diabetes can live healthy, active lives.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for:

• Giving your child any medicines
• How to check your child’s blood sugar levels and what to do if the level is too high or too low
• Making any appointments with specialists
• Scheduling follow-up visits

For healthy eating:

• Work with a dietitian (food specialist) who focuses on diabetes to create a meal plan.
• Encourage your child to:
  • Eat when hungry and stop when full — they don't need to finish everything on their plate.
  • Eat a healthy diet that includes protein, such as chicken, fish, eggs, beans, and nuts; plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables; low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese; and whole-grain breads and cereals.
  • Avoid ultra-processed foods, such as sugary drinks, sweetened breakfast cereals, cookies, chicken nuggets, and hot dogs, as much as possible.
  • Choose healthy snacks like fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
  • Drink plenty of water every day and avoid soda, juice, and other sugary drinks. Sugary drinks can make diabetes worse.

For healthy habits:

• Encourage your child (and the whole family) to be physically active for at least 60 minutes every day.
• Go for family walks, hikes, and bike rides, and play active family games (like Frisbee® or hide-and-go-seek) as often as possible.
• Help your child find enjoyable ways to be active, such as:
  • Team sports (like soccer or basketball)
  • Individual sports (like gymnastics or martial arts)
  • Walking, swimming, or going to the gym
• Help your child limit their screen time so it doesn't prevent them from getting enough sleep (at least 8 hours) and plenty of physical activity.

Your child:

• Has blood sugar levels that are too high or too low
• Shows symptoms of high blood sugar levels, such as extreme thirst, peeing often or in large amounts, or unexplained weight loss
• Has trouble staying on a healthy diet (Your healthcare provider can refer your child to a food specialist for more guidance.)

Your child:

• Has severe belly pain, is vomiting, has trouble breathing, or becomes confused or very sleepy (These can be signs that their blood sugar level is very high.)
• Has very low or high blood sugar levels that don’t go back to normal with home treatment

You know your child best. If they have symptoms that worry you or seem very sick, call your healthcare provider or take your child to the ER.

How is insulin resistance related to type 2 diabetes? Insulin resistance happens when the body still makes insulin but can't use it properly. As a result, glucose can't get into the cells and instead builds up in the blood.

To bring blood sugar levels back to normal, the pancreas — the organ behind the stomach that makes hormones — pumps out extra insulin. At first, this works. Blood sugar levels may stay normal even though insulin resistance is developing.

But if insulin resistance continues, the pancreas can't keep up. It can no longer make enough extra insulin to overcome the resistance, and blood sugar level stays high. Over time, this can lead to type 2 diabetes.

What causes type 2 diabetes? It isn't caused by any one thing. It usually results from a mix of factors including:

• Carrying extra weight, especially around the waist, which makes insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes more likely
• Lack of physical activity
• Genetics (history of a parent or close family member with type 2 diabetes)

What problems can happen from type 2 diabetes? Having high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves and cause problems in the heart, kidneys, and eyes.

How can I help my child eat a better diet and become more active? Try to make changes together as a family. This helps your child feel supported instead of singled out. Plan healthy dinners and cook together. Take a walk after dinner, visit the playground, ride bikes, or play active games outside. Making healthy eating and regular physical activity part of your family routine is one of the best ways to keep the whole family healthy.