The good news is that people dealing with Type 2 diabetes, despite their genetic predisposition, are in a position to improve their situation somewhat. Step by step, Type 2 can be controlled.

Diet First

You'll want your child immediately under the care of a pediatric endocrinology team that includes a top-notch dietitian. It's not easy being a kid and changing diets, but a good dietitian can help guide a child to a lifetime of healthful eating. Oftentimes, it's a good idea to include the entire family because chances are, if a child has become obese, he's from a family that eats in relatively the same way.

A good dietitian will help your child—and your family—adapt slowly and surely to new ways of eating. Quitting cold turkey seldom works for anyone. Rather, a step-by-step plan that includes new cooking ideas, meal planning, and creative snacking is the best option.

Try to work some exciting specials into your child's new meal plan, and ask your dietitian to help you be creative. Remember, some foods that look safe may not be so; for example, sugar-free candy has carbs, too. Rather than sugar-free candies, find good, healthful snack choices that you may never have considered before.

Exercise Comes Next

As easy as it is to blame the increase of Type 2 in kids on video games, there's way more to it than that, and in fact, video games don't need to be banned completely from your child's life. If you haven't introduced sports or active playtime, now is the time to begin. But as always, take it slowly and with professional help.

If you can afford it, you may want to consider a trainer for your child. Going to the gym or even outside with a trainer may be exciting and fun for your child, and the trainer will know how slowly and safely to take your child from inactive to athlete.

If a trainer is not within your budget, ask your pediatric endocrinology team to help you outline an exercise program. It should include walking, swimming (if possible), and eventually, a new sport or two.

As for the video games, make clear limits about the amount of time they are to be played. Also you can attach other goals to the video games. For instance, if your child walks or plays actively for more than an hour and a half, he can play a video game for a half hour. Just make sure you keep the games under your control (i.e., keep them in a place where your child only has access to them through you).

You may also want to consider limiting Internet access. More than a few children now spend hours online, sitting and not getting exercise. By turning off the Internet or restricting it except for special times, you'll keep the temptation away from her.