
September 11, 2001
Diagnosis and Symptoms, Weight and Weight Loss
Question from San Anselmo, California, USA:
Is type 1 diabetes linked to children’s obesity? How do you keep an obese child with type 1 diabetes from being obese, with the diet he has to maintain?
Answer:
There is no causal link between type�1 diabetes and obesity, as opposed to type�2 diabetes which is linked to obesity. It is not uncommon for children with type 1 diabetes to be heavier than children who don’t have diabetes, but if children with type 1 are obese, then it is possible they are taking more calories than their bodies need. It is also important to make sure that they do not have an underlying reason for the obesity, like hypothyroidism.
If you are worried about your child’s weight, you should talk it over with your diabetes team who will be able to help.
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