I'm a fifteen year old girl just recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This looked like a good place to get my question(s) answered. Obesity runs in my family as does diabetes. (my mother and grandfather have type 2 and I have two uncles with type one) knowing this, I have always been careful about what I eat. I'm not obese by any means, although I do weigh a little more than average. I even exersice. I'm into sports, I love soccer and swimming and I run every now and then. But when I think of diabetes (especially type 2) I always hear how its the person's fault for being fat. I know this is damaging to my self esteem. Could I have prevented this? Is it purely genetics?

ztarwarzchic...
It is definitely NOT your fault! First, genetics play a huge part in T2 diabetes. Second, all T2's are not created equal...some will be more advanced at diagnosis, some will progress more rapidly, some stay "borderline" for year whether they practice good management or not.

Start reading books about diabetes and ask your doctor for a referral to a diabetes education course, as well as a referral to a Registered Dietician (RD) for advice on food plans. Don't worry about learning everything all at once...just a little at a time. Also, try fit some type of exercise into your daily routine, even if it's nothing more than walking up and down stairs a few times and parking at the far end of the mall (I know...you don't have a license yet, but you could have whomever is driving drop you off further away from your destination so you walk a couple of minutes to get there.) Dancing is also good exercise...just put the radio on and dance in your room!

Sometimes even a weight loss of 5-10 pounds is enough to reverse T2, at least for a while.

So learn as much as you can, don't blame yourself, and ignore those who would put the blame on you!

Ruth