Answer

An Examination of the Effective Intervention and Measures Focused on Addressing Diabetes in Children and Adolescents in Florida

Findings

This chapter describes the findings of the study after a detailed analysis of the problem statement. Primarily, the paper aimed to investigate type 2 diabetes among adolescents and children in Florida and formulate an effective intervention mechanism that would be applicable to the state and the country at large. Florida has experienced an increasing surge in the cases of children and adolescents diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which has necessitated the quest for interventions that will help to address the problem effectively (Florida Diabetes Advisory Council, 2020). The increase in the prevalence of diabetes among children and youths tends to increase the risk of developing micro and macrovascular complications, thereby posing a severe burden to the state and national economy as well as affecting the family welfare (Amutha & Mohan, 2016). Therefore, describing the limitations of the study, use and application of the findings and recommendations of the research are essential toward addressing the problem. 

Limitations 

Since the study focused on children and adolescents who are still under the guidance of the parents and caregivers, there was a significant challenge in getting consent for the sampled group to participate in the study. Furthermore, the realistic number was then too small to draw statewide statistics of the current condition of the disease. This is because the study used a purposeful sampling technique, which, although relevant to the study, limited the population. The researcher had to use a sample size of 20 children and 30 adolescents, a number that is too low, considering the total number of children and adolescents in Florida. Moreover, the limitation of funds also created substantial challenges to the study, making it difficult to achieve the sub-objectives of the study. Every research work has a budget that has to consider the availability of funds without which the study is crippled.   

Use and Application of Findings

Research findings are only sensible when they can be put into practice to improve outcomes and better the situation. Intending to understand how patient education can be instrumental in curbing the prevalence rate of the disease and the role of lifestyle in increased rates of type 2 diabetes, the study has proved essential because of the realization of the poor knowledge among adolescents and the parents. In most cases, the caregivers do not receive the necessary education of diabetes, including screening, diagnosis, and management. This study will help in intensifying awareness to assist in educating the children, adolescents, and the parents on the reality of diabetes among the young population, which will also help in the development of prevention measures and management strategies. Furthermore, the study also provides an avenue for other scholars to improve on the area, especially taking into consideration the limitations of the current study. This will help in assessing the problem with much precision and details. 

Recommendations 

The study recommends prevention as a critical factor in reducing the burden of this disease within the population. Through an evidence-based program, healthy eating and active living take center stage in preventing type 2 diabetes, especially among individuals with high risk (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). However, this also involves putting some factors into perspective to help in getting the best possible approach. These factors include prediabetes, gestational diabetes, family history, obesity, and old age, among others (Diabetes 2017 Report Card, 2018). Since diabetes complications can be very costly and deadly, activities such as annual foot and eye examination and attendance of diabetes self-management classes are essential. This will help in avoiding such problems as stroke, kidney damage, amputation of legs and feet, and blindness, among others. 

Moreover, through increased awareness, arising from educational services, parents in union with the health personnel can help in the prevention of diabetes among children. It should never become normal for children to suffer from diabetes since this is a renowned old-age illness. Therefore, there is a need for an intensified collaboration with all stakeholders to provide screening services, diagnosis, and management techniques. This will lessen the burden of schools since older children can embrace self-management techniques (American Diabetes Association, 2020). Besides, it will also help the parents provide healthy snacks that substantially cut on sugars and become more active in terms of exercise and physical wellness. Increased knowledge will also be instrumental in reducing the potential for complications, thereby curbing morbidity and mortality rates associated with diabetes (Sanchez, 2016). Furthermore, having proper intervention strategies without empowering the parents and children will not attain much gain, which then makes it critical to increase awareness by offering educational services on the disease. 

Notwithstanding, being overweight makes it difficult to control diabetes, which then calls for the need to make every effort to normalize the body mass index among children and adolescents. It then requires engaging dietitians and pediatrics to help in the formulation of programs that aim toward the prevention of the disease while also managing the situation for kids already diagnosed with the condition. To avoid overburdening the health sector, the government has to come strongly to support these initiatives to limit the cases of overstretching the scarce health resources. Florida government has to put in measures to ensure healthy living and ensure medication for those already suffering from the disease (Chiang et al., 2018). They can achieve this by providing emotional, financial, and social support to children and adolescents. 

Conclusion

The health services are being stretched day by day, and the more children and adolescents are diagnosed with this life-long disease, the more the pressure on the available health resources and the higher the burden to the family. Furthermore, it could worsen because of the development of type 2 diabetes among children, a type that was associated with old age. However, early diagnosis is also helpful in preventing long term complications of diabetes since, through identification, effective measures then become critical. Notwithstanding, the variation in state prevalence also makes it necessary to approach the epidemic using techniques that are relevant to the individual states. This then means that consideration of the factors influencing the development of diabetes must receive ultimate consideration to thwart the increase experienced in Florida.  

According to the center for disease control statistics, Florida is recording high rates of children and adolescents diagnosed with type 2 diabetes that puts the state in a spotlight. Without remedy, the situation may run out of hand. Therefore, with the evidence that knowledge is necessary for fighting the disease, the state has to make essential consideration to help in screening, diagnosis, and management of the situation (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). This can help in early identification of the problem and subsequent rescue of the patients’ lives. Conversely, there has to be a drastic change in lifestyle to help in curbing the disease with the community embracing better and healthy living standards that are void of chunk foods and limited sugars. Nonetheless, better health coverage with affordable insurance is also necessary to help the children get unlimited medical services that will incorporate regular screening and diagnosis to encourage early identification of the illness, thereby preventing its intensity.