Children who abuse fast food high in sugar and bad fats can cause obesity and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
MSc.BSc.CKI Hap Tien Loc, Department of Pediatrics, Tam Anh General Clinic, District 7, said the above information, explaining that consuming a lot of fast food is the cause of increasing bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood because it contains a lot of oil. fat. In addition, children eat fast food (pizza, sausage, fried chicken…) regularly, causing the body to receive large amounts of sugar and carbohydrates, increasing blood sugar. This condition leads to insulin resistance.
Insulin is a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and the body’s metabolism. Insulin helps bring glucose from food into cells to be converted into energy. When there is a lack of insulin, glucose cannot enter cells, leading to increased blood sugar levels and metabolic diseases.
“Abusing these foods for a long time increases the risk of type 2 diabetes,” Dr. Loc said, adding that fast food that is low in fiber and high in fat is also the cause of the problem. about digestion.
According to Dr. Loc, children often eat processed foods leading to excess fat, sugar, and salt in the body. These foods contain fructose – a sweetener commonly used in the food industry. Eating a lot of these foods for a long time causes overweight, fatty liver, and dyslipidemia. Obesity in children causes insulin resistance, thereby reducing glucose metabolism, leading to diabetes.
Children who eat a lot of fast food can develop type 2 diabetes. Illustration: Dinh Lam
According to the National Institute of Nutrition, the rate of overweight and obesity in Vietnam tends to increase rapidly, especially in large cities. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warns that if there is no intervention, Vietnam will have about 1.9 million obese children by 2030.
The American Heart Association recommends that children under two years old should not have added sugar in their meals. Children two years and older should eat less than 25 grams of sugar per day, which is equivalent to 6 teaspoons or 100 calories per day. According to the US Department of Agriculture, each 100g of fast food contains 4.9g of sugar.
Dr. Loc noted that parents should breastfeed their children exclusively for the first 6 months, and when they reach the age of weaning, they should feed them a variety of substances and nutrients from meat, fruits, and vegetables. Stronger children can eat the same foods as adults. Parents should let their children eat meals with the family to create good habits and increase the connection between members. Children eat extra meals with fruit and yogurt to support digestion.
If a child has diabetes, they can snack but need to choose appropriate foods to keep blood sugar stable and not gain weight. You need to choose foods with low or medium glycemic index (GI index below 70), containing few carbohydrates and calories. Prioritize choosing foods rich in fiber such as apples, avocados, oranges, corn, walnuts, chia seeds, cashews, unsweetened brown rice cakes…
Children should not be fasted and then consume large amounts of glucose in one meal. Children maintain main meals and snacks with moderate portions. Children need to exercise and play sports to control their weight and comply with regular health checks as recommended by doctors. When children have symptoms such as rapid weight loss, frequent urination, dirty urine, rapid breathing, mental disorders…, parents should take the child to the hospital for examination.