Eleven-year-old Jennifer Russell is a speed demon on a treadmill. But not long ago, she didn't feel like doing anything.
 
"I was thirsty, and I felt sick all the time. I always had a headache," says Type 2 Diabetes Patient Russell.
 
She was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. With orders from the doctor to lose weight, Jennifer and her family flew into action.
 
"She's got a treadmill, a trampoline, she's got a weight bench set and an exercise bike," says her Mother Tonia Staggs.
 
Steps like these will help Jennifer manage her diabetes, a condition that's occurring more frequently in kids. A recent study finds these young patients face big challenges.
 
"Adolescents have a hard time appreciating the long-term benefits of something they're doing now, and so it's very hard to motivate them to take good care of themselves and to follow a good diet and exercise behaviors," says Primary Care Physician Dr. Russell Rothman.
 
The Vanderbilt researchers found kids adapted quickly to daily finger pricks and taking medicine, but resisted lifestyle changes.
 
"You really have to commit yourself everyday, and you know, it's something that you're doing where you're not always seeing the immediate benefit," says Rothman.
 
To help kids take charge of their health, Dr. Rothman says, 'start small.'
 
"You want to give them some very simple goals that they can accomplish to make them feel good about themselves, and hopefully motivate them to do more healthy behaviors down the road," says Rothman.
 
It is critical for these kids and their families to take the lifestyle changes seriously. The longer the disease is held in check, the better.