August 15, 2002
Diagnosis and Symptoms
Question from Austin, Texas, USA:
My great niece (who is super thin) has an unusual craving for sweets, gets really hyperactive after eating a lot of them, and even though she is not obese it worries us. Her mother (my niece) thinks there’s nothing wrong with the fact that this child absolutely fantasizes about chocolate, candy of any kind, cake, etc. When we all go out to eat, she immediately asks to see the dessert menu, and we have found her in the closet with a bowl of M&M’s. They hid all candy at their house and try to watch her. As her great-aunt, I’m just concerned.
Answer:
I am not sure that there is anything wrong with your great niece. This may just be a time for the little girl to test her family to see if they “notice her more” if she tries to overdo it on sweets. However, on the other hand, if there are symptoms of diabetes or a family history of diabetes or other autoimmune disorders, it would be good for her mom to take her in for a blood glucose test.
LSF