First, there are a lot of well-established risk factors for type 2 diabetes in children in particular. Obviously, obesity is the number one risk factor. Certain ethnic backgrounds are more at risk. Obviously sedentary behaviour, low physical activity, and poor nutrition are risk factors. The notion of having been exposed to gestational diabetes, which the previous speaker also discussed, is also a risk factor.
Primary caregivers could be sensitized to a number of risk factors, which would help us to identify the at-risk individuals and to be able to intervene. I think though, if you look at the population, the problem is that already 27% of Canadian children and adolescents are either overweight or obese. One in four children are affected. As clinicians, I think we have a role to identify at-risk youth. As a society we probably have to rethink some of the public health strategies we can use to prevent the onset of obesity, and also help to treat those who are already affected.