Know any preschoolers? Cute, aren't they? Current research indicates that more than a third of those kids will get diabetes in their lifetime, and their lifetimes will be a lot shorter because of it.

I'm Dr. Caroline Cederquist, giving you The Skinny on Your Health.

When they're young and healthy, it's hard to imagine what a disease like diabetes could cost those little four-year-olds. But with more and more children becoming obese, right along with the rest of the population, it's important to consider those numbers.

Any of today's preschoolers who are diagnosed with Type II diabetes by age 10 are expected to lose 18 years of life because of that disease and problems associated with it.

18 years.

Diabetes is almost completely preventable, but the data so far are pretty clear: the longer you live with it, the shorter you live.

So if there are any chubby little kids in your world, do what you can to keep them fit today, and to show them how to keep themselves fit as far as possible into their tomorrows.

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Caroline J. Cederquist, M.D. is a board certified Family Physician and a board certified Bariatric Physicians (the medical specialty of weight management). Dr. Cederquist is the founder of Bistro M.D., a home diet delivery program that specializes in low calorie gourmet food that is delivered to your home or office. Bistro M.D. serves as culmination of Dr. Cederquist's expertise and experience in the world of medical weight loss.