Diet and exercise are common ways to treat and prevent childhood obesity and diabetes. Even modest weight loss and a modest increase in daily activity can reap dramatic results.

The Diabetes Prevention Program showed that losing 10 or 15 pounds and light to moderate exercise for 30 minutes a day for five days each week reduced adults’ risk of developing type 2 diabetes by nearly 60 percent. However, because children are still developing, some experts do not recommend weight loss for them unless obesity is severe or involves complications.

Other treatment options for diabetes may include antidiabetic agents (some of which also help control weight) and insulin.

Patients considering weight-loss drugs or supplements marketed as weight-loss aids are urged to first consult their physician about the risks and side effects.

Even with its risks and side effects, weight-loss (bariatric) surgery has become an increasingly popular option to treat morbid obesity in adults and has resolved some cases of type 2 diabetes. The U.S. National Institutes of Health has launched the Teen Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) study to investigate whether these procedures are appropriate treatment options for obese youths.

Some states are trying to reduce childhood obesity and diabetes by:

• Advising parents to start at home - involving the entire family in eating healthy meal planning, food shopping and exercising
  
  
• Advising parents to set time limits for computer use and television viewing
  
  
• Reviving physical education in schools
  
  
• Promoting opportunities for sports and exercise
  
  
• Improving foods offered by school cafeterias
  
  
• Restricting vending machines

The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) is studying type 2 diabetes in young people. The TODAY study (Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth) began in 2004 and is projected to continue through 2010. Factors being studied include:

• Safety of treatments
• Effect of treatments on insulin resistance
• Exercise and eating habits
• Risk factors, including nerve, cardiac, eye and psychological
• Treatment costs
• Effectiveness of family and peer support

The main goal for the TODAY study is to establish how well and how long various treatments control glucose (blood sugar). 

The NIH and other government agencies released a report in 2005 that provided updated guidelines to prevent obesity. Many of the recommendations centered on a sensible diet and on being particularly active most days of the week (30 minutes a day to reduce the risk of chronic disease, 60 minutes or more to maintain or lose weight). 

The report also recommended that:

• The U.S. government makes prevention of childhood obesity a national priority.
  
  
• Industries promote healthful eating and physical activity.
  
  
• Nutrition labeling be clear so parents and youths can make informed choices.
  
  
• Marketing and advertising to children minimize risk of obesity.
  
  
• A long–term federal public relations campaign focusing on obesity prevention in children.
  
  
• Governments and community groups promote healthful eating and physical activity.
  
  
• Governments, community groups and developers create recreational opportunities.
  
  
• Healthcare professionals and organizations including insurers track body mass index (BMI) and establish programs on obesity prevention.
  
  
• Schools make it easy for students to eat well and be physically active. Parents should promote good eating and physical activity behaviors at home.