Nowadays it’s more vital than ever for parents to know the warning signs for type 2 diabetes in children. Dr. Manny Alvarez, senior managing health editor for Fox News.com, recently sat down with Dr. Dyan Hes, medical director of Gramercy Pediatrics in New York City to talk about tips to prevent diabetes in kids.

According to the American Diabetes Association, prediabetes is having blood glucose levels that are higher than normal – but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

“The good news is prediabetes is reversible. Diabetes is not reversible,” said Hes.

Health experts blame the childhood obesity epidemic for the rising numbers of kids with diabetes. Hes said: a lot of prevention starts with good parenting.

“So if your mom's not going to stop off at the McDonald’s drive-through on the way home, you're not going to get McDonalds.”, she said.

Hes said it may be harder to monitor older children who have their own spending money, but she noted most children will listen to their doctors and take prediabetes seriously.

There are signs parents can look for if they suspect their child is prediabetic:

- Acanthosis nigricans, or soft velvety skin around the neck, particularly in the posterior area. Kids with this symptom are often misdiagnosed with eczema of the neck

- The same dark skin in non-sun exposed areas like the underarms and groin

- Skin tags on the neck and in areas with acanthosis

- Excessive drinking and excessive urination (though more common in type I diabetes)

Blood tests in children at risk for diabetes show high triglycerides, and they often have high blood pressure along with large abdominal girth. 

Hes said the most important things parents can do to reverse their children’s risk of diabetes is implementing a healthier diet with fewer processed foods and more fiber, as well as  encouraging more exercise.

Alvarez added: “Parents need to work with their pediatrician, this needs to be a group effort.”