What Can Nurses Do About Pediatric Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), previously known as adult-onset diabetes, has dramatically increased in prevalence in children and young adults. A major factor is the rise in pediatric obesity that contributes to insulin resistance, the trademark characteristic of T2D. Children and young adults are at greater risk when there is a positive family history of T2D. We present a 14-year old male without previous medical history who was diagnosed to have new onset T2D and discuss the role of nurses in providing adequate education, assessment and care for at risk children and young adults.