Type 1 diabetes usually affects children and adolescents. Parents are often the first to notice an unusual weight loss in a child with type 1 diabetes. Weight loss in kids with diabetes can occur even in those who have a normal or increased appetite for the same reasons it happens in adults with diabetes.
Once kids are diagnosed and treated for diabetes, weight loss ceases and typically returns to normal. Symptoms of diabetes are often too subtle and gradual for people to recognize.
Weight loss is just one indicator. Excessive thirst or hunger and urination are telltale signs of diabetes. These symptoms can be especially dangerous if left untreated because they can cause dehydration. Prolonged dehydration can cause:. Dehydration also causes someone to urinate less often, which allows excess blood sugar to build up in the bloodstream. When this happens, blood sugar levels rise too fast. Be sure to watch for these other signs of diabetes, too:.
Similar to adults, hallmark early signs of diabetes in children are increased urination and thirst. When blood sugar is high, it triggers a reaction in the body that pulls fluid from tissues. This will leave a child constantly thirsty, causing them to drink more fluids, which will result in a need for more bathroom breaks throughout the day. Dehydration in children becomes a risk if this occurs.
In addition to the signs of dehydration, children may have these symptoms, too:. Here are some traits of diabetes found in kids:. Diabetes can be life-threatening if left untreated. Managing weight loss with diabetes begins with getting blood sugar under control, so it's critical to involve a healthcare provider to activate a treatment plan.
Some people's diabetes can be managed through lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise. People with type 1 diabetes—and some with type 2—will require supplemental insulin or other drugs to ensure their bodies get back on track. Typically, once someone is treated for diabetes and their blood sugar normalizes, their weight loss will stabilize.
It is critical to continue to monitor diabetes under a healthcare provider's care at home because it is a lifelong condition. Besides diabetes, rapid, unexpected weight loss can be an indicator of other serious conditions, including cancer, AIDS, dementia, or thyroid malfunction. We know healthy eating is key to help manage diabetes, but that doesn't make it easy. Our free nutrition guide is here to help. Sign up and receive your free copy!
American Diabetes Association. Diabetes overview. Centers for Disease Control. Diabetes basics. Updated June 11, For any help along the way, just ask — your diabetes health care team can offer tips and advice on coping with weight-control challenges.
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. This is true for kids and teens with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. Weight and Type 1 Diabetes In diabetes, the body doesn't use glucose properly. Weight and Type 2 Diabetes In type 2 diabetes , the pancreas still makes insulin, but the insulin doesn't work in the body like it should and blood sugar levels get too high.
Page 1 The Importance of a Healthy Weight When kids with diabetes reach and maintain a healthy weight , they feel better and have more energy. What Else Should I Know? Here are some common problems to watch for and discuss with your doctor: Oversnacking.
Some kids with diabetes eat too many snacks because they or their parents worry about hypoglycemia low blood sugar. Keep track of the snacks in your home and how quickly they're eaten. If you have questions about healthy snacks, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian. Also, talk with your child about the importance of following the diabetes meal plan. Sneaking snacks. Kids or teens may sneak extras of the candy or sweets they're supposed to eat in moderation, which can raise blood sugar levels.
Parents may respond by giving the child higher doses of insulin. This cycle can lead to excessive weight gain. Be sure your child understands why it's important to follow the meal plan, and ask questions if your child's blood sugar levels seem unexplainably high. Extreme dieting. Some kids with diabetes — especially teens — may try to lose weight with fad diets or other extreme measures. These aren't good for anyone, but they're especially unhealthy for people with diabetes because they throw blood sugar levels off track.
Skipping insulin. Teens, in particular, sometimes skip insulin injections to lose weight. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. All of us can gain or lose a pound or two; we indulge a little too much, and then we put in a few extra workouts. It could be an early sign of diabetes. Instead, it builds up in your blood. It creates energy by burning fat and muscle at a rapid pace.
This causes unexplained weight loss. Your kidneys also begin working overtime to eliminate the excess sugars in the blood.
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