Twenty years ago Type 2 (or non-insulin dependent) diabetes was virtually unheard of in children. Today this disease accounts for 45 percent of all new diabetes diagnoses among youngsters. Any child born in 2000 or later has a one in three chance of developing what has long been considered “adult-onset” diabetes.

The number of children taking medication for this form of diabetes recently doubled over a four-year period. The rise was most alarming among 10- to 14-year olds, according to a recent study, with the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes treatment rising by 106 percent. Hormones released at puberty can contribute to insulin resistance, lowering the effectiveness of the body’s normal blood sugar control. But that’s not the only reason teens “catch” diabetes.

Family history and ethnicity also increase the risk for Type 2 diabetes. Obesity is clearly an important risk factor, since too much stored body fat makes fat and muscle cells less responsive to insulin in the bloodstream. Childhood obesity rates have tripled since 1980 and doubled in young children—along with Type 2 diabetes.

The increasing prevalence of this disease “carries enormous healthcare risks,” says researcher Ed Weisbart, MD. A surprising number of obese children already show symptoms linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes in adults. Obesity can also predispose people to cancer, gallbladder problems, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and sleep apnea. Overweight kids appear to suffer more broken bones and joint problems than youngsters of normal weight. Experts warn that the upcoming generation of children may be the first to die before their parents. But the good news is that preventing and even treating Type 2 diabetes in most kids is relatively easy—in principle, at least.

What Can Parents Do?

“If you offer healthy foods, your children will have the chance to eat them. If you offer junk foods to your children, they will eat junk foods,” says Marion Nestle, nutrition professor at New York University. “Children do not need added salt or sugars.”

Unfortunately, that’s what all too many American youngsters are eating. Young people’s eating habits have deteriorated significantly since the 1950s: Almost 80 percent of kids today don’t consume enough vegetables, and far too many take in more calories than they expend in their daily activities. “Three-quarters of American children say that they—not their parents—decide what they eat for breakfast, and more than 60 percent say they do not eat three meals a day,” adds Nestle.

Unfortunately, children (and even some parents) aren’t educated consumers. Today’s working parents don’t have the time stay-at-home moms once did to plan the week’s menu and prepare meals from scratch, either. The volume of prepackaged items, easy availability of fast food and junk food (particularly in low-income neighborhoods), and the prevalence of super-sized portions make it easy for anyone to pack on unwanted pounds. Sadly, high-calorie foods tend to cost less than nutrient-rich ones.

Sophisticated food marketing aimed directly at kids is another problem. “Marketers count on children wearing their parents down and on parents giving in and purchasing low-nutrition food,” finds a report by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Don’t take kids food shopping unless you have the time to read labels with them and explain the difference between wholesome, natural foods and overly processed ones. If your children accompany you to the grocery store, set spending limits beforehand. “Don’t buy food products with cartoons and games on them,” Nestle advises.