In times past, obese kids were thought to be the jolly hangers on that would provide the best friend angle to a popular kid. In elementary school they were teased without mercy, and the stereotype that quickly spread about them was their ability to eat humongous amounts of lasagna, ice cream, and still have enough room left to guzzle down a gallon sized soft drink. Obese kids are still part and parcel of the American landscape, and it has been said that this is the first generation of children that might not outlive their parents.

While there is a plethora of health conditions associated with being overweight, the forfeiting of normal blood sugar and thus the danger of acquiring “type two” diabetes is staggering. Even as they are still teased and made fun of — now also online via the many different social networking sites — the increase in childhood obesity has led to some desperate measures.

Since common sense demands that fast food, full calorie sugary sodas, and of course junk food in the guise of endless bags of chips and cookies are primary contributing factors, soda machines and also junk food vending machines have been taken out of many schools. The results have been less than stellar and normal blood sugar levels might be accomplished during the time that the child is eating healthier food choices at school, but is soon again forfeited when she or he leaves that tightly controlled environment behind.

Physicians have found that the reduction of junk food at the schools is merely a drop in the bucket and rather than relying on such measure to reduce the incidents of children suffering with type two diabetes, a different route needs to be pursued. Suggesting that education about the causes or and contributing factors to this form of diabetes is crucial not just for the children but also their parents and caregivers, those in the business of healthcare have written and devised many educational booklets and even coloring books.

At the heart of the issue is the attempt to get out the word that normal blood sugar is not only tied to a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, but also to increased physical activity. While there are no diabetes remedies, there are ways to control it.  Yet how is it possible to motivate a child who has been sitting for eight hours in school to get up and move around? She or he is tired, and with mom or dad rushing around, there is nobody really to play with. Besides, children do not worry about normal blood sugar, insulin spikes, diabetes one or two, and they most certainly do not understand that a failure to act now, while they are still young, will prevent their health from suffering as they age.

Fortunately, some video games have now been devised that thrive on interactivity, such as golf, tennis, and even running, which may be hooked up to a television set like a normal video game the kids might enjoy playing. Granted, it is a far cry from virtual reality or the high quality graphics of the currently popular video games, but it is a start and will get the kids moving. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a countermovement to the current culture of sedentary, obese children whose bodies are no longer able to maintain normal blood sugar levels.