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I do not want to start insulin. My friend who started insulin now has to stay on it forever.
This is true to all patients with type 1 diabetes and partially true to certain people with type 2 diabetes. For patients with type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin and so will need     more
Question Posted:
2010-12-21 15:53
Question: 
Hello: My son is 13 and was adopted from S. Korea as an infant so we don't have information regarding his birth parents medical history. My son has high cholesterol and high triglycerides. Do you have information on Korean children's chances of getting diabetes or heart disease? I would appreciate any information you can provide. I didn't see anything on your website specific to children or Koreans. Thank you very much.
Answer: 
Like many developed nations, Korea is experiencing a diabetes epidemic.  The national rate is above 8%. The high cholesterol and triglycerides could be rooted in genetics, but may also reflect his current diet.  People of Asian descent growing up in the U.S. are particularly at risk for obesity.  You might want to emphasize weight reduction (if the child is overweight), regular exercise, and reduced consumption of saturated fats.  These steps will bring long term benefits to your child. 
 
Answer by: William Hsu, M.D.