A researcher with the University of Saskatchewan has published a report that finds diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate among First Nations children in the province.
The groundbreaking research covers a longer period of time than any other childhood diabetes study in Canada.
The data covers 25 years, from 1980 to 2005.
It found that most of the childhood diabetes among First Nations children was Type 2. That is the kind that can be controlled through nutrition, exercise and medication — but does not usually require daily insulin injections.
Dr. Roland Dyck says lifestyle is largely to blame for the big jump in diabetes cases among First Nations children.
“And because of that, even when it is reasonably well-controlled, there just is a greater likelihood of developing chronic complications over a long period of time.”
The study also found that First Nations girls have a higher risk than other children in the province. In fact, the rates for that particular demographic increased 400% over 25 years.
Dyck hopes the fundings will result in more programs aimed at prevention.
“It’s more difficult to manage obesity and diabetes once it’s occurred than it might be to actually prevent it.”
The study is published in the Canadian Journal for Diabetes.