The Prevalence of Diabetes in Juveniles

Diabetes mellitus, simply known as diabetes, is a metabolic disorder that impacts how the body makes use of glucose or blood sugar. Glucose is the primary supply of energy for the body’s cells, which is controlled by insulin, a pancreatic hormone. Diabetes results in high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia), which are caused by either insufficient insulin production by the pancreas or ineffective insulin utilization by the body (Dean & McEntyre, 2004). Although there are several types of diabetes, the two main types are type 1 and type 2. Type 1, also known as juvenile diabetes, is an inflammatory condition in which the body's immune system targets and kills pancreatic insulin-producing cells (Dean & McEntyre, 2004). This type of diabetes typically affects children and adolescents. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes that usually happens when the body becomes resistant to insulin or does not produce enough insulin. Oftentimes this kind of diabetes is more likely to develop in middle-aged and older people and normally related to lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise, obesity, and poor nutrition. This analysis is organized by the history and epidemiology of this condition, including the two main types of diabetes, the prevalence, impacts, risk factors, and preventative care and treatment for diabetes in juveniles.