From thenorthernlight.com
As a diabetologist, I am concerned. More and more adolescents are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D), a once-rare condition in youth. While genetics plays a role, the primary drivers are lifestyle changes, especially diet and physical activity.
In many communities, schools have become a frontline in the fight against this epidemic, but what happens when the school year ends and summer begins? The answer: Families and communities must step up to keep healthy habits going strong.
Over the past few decades, childhood obesity rates have skyrocketed. Nearly 1 in 5 young people in the U.S. is affected by obesity, which is the single largest risk factor for T2D. The reasons are complex, ranging from genetics and environment to sleep and stress. However, the two main factors that stand out are what we eat and how much we move.
Schools have made real progress. Many now offer healthier meals, nutrition education and daily opportunities for physical activity. These efforts matter because when kids eat healthier and move more, they learn, act and feel better.
Common Threads is a successful school and community-based program that strives to ensure no child faces barriers to food education in Whatcom County. The program offers hands-on summer camps, school garden lessons and cooking classes.
When summer arrives, routines change. We typically hear about the “summer slide,” referring to learning loss children experience during summer breaks, leading to setbacks in math and reading skills. However, the slide also applies to disruptions in healthier eating and physical activity. Without the structure of the school day, children often spend more time indoors, snack more frequently and are less physically active. This slide can undo months of progress.
Kids are at higher risk for weight gain and unhealthy eating during summer break. Why? Less structure, more screen time and often greater access to sugary drinks and high-calorie snacks.
But the good news is, with planning, families can turn summer into an opportunity to build lifelong healthy habits and reduce the risk of T2D.
1. Make healthy foods accessible and appealing
• Keep cut-up fruits and veggies at eye-level in the fridge.
• Involve kids in choosing and preparing meals; they’re more likely to try new foods if they help make them.
• Eliminate sugary drinks and calorie-dense, processed snacks, especially at home – out of sight, out of mind. Water is the best thirst-quencher every season of the year.
2. Keep kids moving
• Aim for at least an hour of physical activity daily. It doesn’t have to mean organized sports. Think family walks, Frisbee with the dog, bike rides and dance parties in the living room.
• Use longer daylight hours for evening play or walks.
• Turn chores into movement through gardening, washing the car or helping with yard work.
3. Limit screen time
• Set daily limits on TV, video games and devices.
• Encourage active play dates by inviting friends over for outdoor games or trips to the park.
4. Be a role model
• Kids learn by example. Show them that you enjoy healthy foods and staying active.
• Mention that good habits help everyone feel stronger and happier.
5. Stay connected
• Check if your community offers summer programs focused on nutrition or physical activity.
• Team up with other families to plan healthy picnics, hikes or sports days. Talking about weight can be sensitive. Focus on how healthy habits help everyone feel their best, rather than on appearance. Celebrate small victories, and make changes as a family. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress.
Schools play a vital role in shaping healthy behaviours, but parents, guardians and caregivers are the true champions during summer. By prioritizing nutrition and activity as a way of life, families can help prevent T2D and set kids up for a lifetime of healthy choices. Let’s make this summer a season of fun, connection and healthy living – for our children and our communities.
Dr. Sandhya Gelou is a triple board-certified physician in private practice in Bellingham. She completed her residency at Duke University Medical Center, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained diabetologist, and a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.
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