My Son Tested Positive on the Risk Assessment for Type 2 Diabetes Screening! :(

Don't worry about it yet. You did the right thing by making an appointment with the pediatrician.

Now, I'm not saying this is the case in your situation, but you would be surprised at how many people are in absolute denial when it comes to their child's health and weight. They have a hard time being objective and what looks like a cute tummy to them is really a potential risk factor for disease.

Bring all your questions to the pediatrician next week. And, have an open mind. No one is trying to judge or blame you for anything. If there is not a problem then no big deal but if there are early warning signs for risk of type-2 diabetes, wouldn't you rather know now and be able to do something about it as opposed to it getting so out of hand that major medical interventions must be taken?

Good luck and best wishes.

First of all, don't be concerned in the least until you speak with your peditrician. Yes, overweight children are at a risk for diabetes. Type 2 diabetes and obesity is on the rise in our country both amoung children and adults. There is a big push to inform the public of the risk.

I was overweight my entire life, diabetes runs on both sides of my family, so I was considered very high risk. I didn't develope diabetes until my 40's. Your driving yourself nuts because something might happen within the next 30 years.

Of course things vary from state to state and from school to school. Keep in mind he was probably evaluated by a nurse, who evaluates all the children in the school. It's not a thorough exam that your son would receive by his doctor.

I'm sure everything will be fine.

Updated

First of all, don't be concerned in the least until you speak with your peditrician. Yes, overweight children are at a risk for diabetes. Type 2 diabetes and obesity is on the rise in our country both amoung children and adults. There is a big push to inform the public of the risk.

I was overweight my entire life, diabetes runs on both sides of my family, so I was considered very high risk. I didn't develope diabetes until my 40's. Your driving yourself nuts because something might happen within the next 30 years.

Of course things vary from state to state and from school to school. Keep in mind he was probably evaluated by a nurse, who evaluates all the children in the school. It's not a thorough exam that your son would receive by his doctor.

I'm sure everything will be fine.

Panic not! To be at risk for a problem doesn't mean your son has the problem. And there are other indicators of diabetes than weight.

Since you're checking with your pediatrician next week, write down (so you won't forget) everything that's going through your mind right now and pick his/her brains! Man, those school notices can be scary!

It sounds like your son is likely fine, but better to get checked since diabetes can cause a lot of problems is untreated. I my self am dealing with this fear now, and I know how scary it can be, so be there for your son, reassure him that he will be fine. Even if he is not diabetic, this letter should be taken as a sign that maybe a few healthier choices need to be made. Is your son active? If not get him out moving more and that should help with a slightly elevated blood pressure and an increased BMI.

First of all, the studies that are being done are completely out there! It's hard not to worry about it until Tuesday, but let your pediatrician who knows your son more then those who diagnosed him or misdiagnosed him as such be the one to tell you what is what. My oldest is considered overweight but it isn't taken into consideration that in 3rd grade she fractured her growth plate in her ankle(on a broken step at school) and has since had her 3rd knee surgery because of this initial injury just last June which has left her unable to participate in gym class. I think that it is a good thing in some ways that they are becoming active in getting children up on things, but by freaking children and their parents out, come on - there has to be a better way. I wish you luck in getting this resolved.

Do not panic and get off the computer researching. Too bad the school nurse did not send you a more detailed handout. Maybe I need to work on one of those for parents to truly understand. Just saying your child is "at risk" does not mean he is diabetic or will become diabetic anytime in the near future. It is just a new screening that many states have added since the childhood obesity rates have more than tripled in the last 3 years. SO it is a program that some states jumped on the band-wagon to join, because there are some "incentives" if the children change to healthy living and become healthier. Also, there are now additional food programs offered for schools who jump on the band-wagon and it gives the school goverment funded real fresh fruit, veggies and salad bars. The test looks at 5 markers and sounds as if your son has 3/4 of these 5 markers. They are just "markers" saying that it is something that a doctor should look at, not saying that he is going to become diabetic. It was developd to have children move to a healthier life-style and to help with kids who other-wise may fall through the cracks because of our health care structure.
The American Academy of Diabetic Education and Nutrition have changd guidlines a bit to just catch some of the adults even that may have falln through the cracks. Due to lifestyles, the diabetic rates have increased by 74% in the past 5 years and they are just trying to help.
I know one of my children is at HUGE risk to become diabetic. I mean HUGE! Am I worried, NO! I am I concerned YES! It just means we are starting to change small things in our house and I am educating her on good choices and carb counting. I am doing this to help her now, so that we can hopefully ward off her becoming diabetic all together or at least until she is in hr 60's. BTW "belly fat"; those "tummies" as we call them are also markers for becoming diabetic. So just an alert not a diagnosis.
Just to let you know, my oldest would have fallen in the "high Risk" category too in 3rd gradee, but now that he is the amazing Athletic that he is (a teenager now), he has gotton rid of all of the risk factors but genetics and the chances of him becoming a diabetic in life now has gone from 64% to less than 4%. So relax and just think of it as a screen.... He will be fine. You just get more education as a result of the screen. Just think of it similar to minority children getting tested for low Vit. D levels. If darker skinned children have a low level they are more risk for problems than white children with low levels. So a child who has some markers are at higher risk than the counter parts with no risk. So the screen just alerts one to watch and get educated on the risk and proper nutrition & exercise. I am at huge risk for Heart disease; so I take the time to educate myself on ways to help me lower the risk. Just think of it that way... Hope my respons helps.

Don't panic- my son is growing like a weed and at a perfect weight for his age and very active- but diabetes runs on BOTH sides of his family and his dad has it, so he would most likely show up as high risk too.

Go to the appointment and follow the common sense advice of your own doctor about what your son eats and how much exercise he gets. Don't panic!

Don't panic yet call the Dr & get an appt remember to provide the letter from the school so for the Dr can compare..However my son had his physical in Sept last month they did a school assesment similar to yours but not the diabetes testing it came back that his BMI was high & over weight I panicked but wait this has to be incorrect we just went to his 7 yr well visit have my records from her & he isn't obese or overweight he is in the high percentile due to genetices...
Drs office said Height 51.0 inches 92 & weight 62 88% &BMI 16.8 77%

School said Height 50 1/2 weight 73 BMI 20.1 97% seek contact physican for recommendations now I know she didn't discuss nay diet changes with me there really isn't any to discuss he eats a well balanced diet low on sugary foods fat & salty as well.. So even though there isn't much difference except the weight..

My son is also off the charts for height and weight. He's always been the tallest kid in his grade - and now that he's in middle school with three times the number of kids in each grade, he's still the tallest kid. His BMI also always come up as high for his age. I know the BMI is a function of height and weight but it does seem to be les accurate for the tall kids - my daughter as well.

That being said I know my son has had times where he's been overweight. He never was when I was in controll of what he ate (until about 3rd grade) but once he could get in the cabinets and get himself a couple of cookies instead of an apple, carrots or peppers he began to add a "few" pounds every winter and lose them in the Summer. It's been tougher each summer and if he didn't have to lose weight for football this fall he'd be considered obese. The chart for kids is different than the chart for adults - but it sounds like you found the kid's chart.

Don't panic - you're going to be at the pediatrician in a few days - ask for an honest appraisal. As active as kids are - most are not as actve as we were as kids - and they have many more goodies availabe to them. My son plays a lot of sports and is outside with the neighborhood boys riding bikes, shooting hoops, playing wiffle ball, etc - but he also spends a lot of time on the computer, or watching the boob tube. I see a lot more chunky kids in middle school than there ever were when I was that age - and there are way more obese adults than there ever were. It is becoming a national health issue.

I think your son is probably jsut fine right now - but perhaps a trend line is beginning. If you can avoid putting your kid on a diet when he's 11 - trust me - it's so worth it. football season just ended and my son is euphoric that he's no longer on a diet - but we are also pushing to make sure he knows there is no free-for-all.

Good luck mama!